~Zombie Land~

Chapter 100- Silver Star​

Chicago followed everyone into the house and locked the door. "Okay, I only get thirty minutes of electricity in the evenings, so, make it count," Kim said. "There is a bathroom back here, and a first aid kit, you can clean up your friend," she added.

"I'm standing right here," Phoenix sighed as he sank down onto the couch and leaned his head back.

"I only have one guest bedroom, but I have plenty of blankets and stuff, so you can all bunk out here in the living room," Kim continued.

"We'll take the bedroom," Columbus said putting his arm around Wichita.

"Okay, get some sleep, tomorrow we'll track down whoever is in charge," Tallahassee sighed removing his hat.

"Come on Phoenix, lets get you fixed up," Chicago said gently making him march to the bathroom. She sat him down on the toilet and took a rag under the hot water in the sink. She wiped his face clean of the blood that was still smeared all over him.

"I can't believe that just happened," he sighed. She frowned.

"You might have a concussion," she said.

"I can't believe… that just happened," he repeated.

"It wasn't your fault," Chicago sighed dabbing some peroxide on his cuts.

"No, I went in to save her and instead she had to hand herself over because if me," he said shaking his head. She took his chin gently lifting his head slightly.

"She'll be okay. There was nothing you could do," she said. He took a deep breath. She stopped cleaning him up for a moment as he shook his head looking confused.

"I hit him… with everything I had… the guy was like a freaking terminator," Phoenix said despairingly. "You should have let him kill me," he added.

"She wasn't worth losing you," Chicago said as she put a couple steri-strips on his face. "You're going to be nice and purple tomorrow," she said.

"Purple Latino huh?" he sighed.

"I'll see if I can get you some ice," she said.

"Chicago?" he asked as she closed up the little first aid kit. She looked at him. "I love her, but I love you guys more… if we have to put her down… lets do it," he said. Chicago nodded solemnly.

"I know… we'll just have to see what we can find out tomorrow," she said. He looked at his watch.

"It is tomorrow," he said.

"You know what I mean," she smiled. He rose and followed her back out into the living room where he collapsed on the couch again.

"Dibs," he muttered. Chicago found an ice pack in the fridge and handed it to him. He put it over his face and sighed. Nana promptly crawled up on top of him and sprawled out, resting her head on his chest. He draped one arm over her.

"I summer going to come back?" she asked.

"Why?" he replied peeking out from under the ice.

"I miss her. She was mean, but I liked her," Nana replied. Phoenix let out an exasperated sigh.

"I don't know Baby Girl, she might. I hope she will… I miss her too," he said petting Nana's dark brown hair.

Chicago and Tallahassee worked to clear enough floor space for everyone to sleep comfortably. Little Rock bypassed the whole mess and curled up in an arm chair. Chicago envied her when she started to snore. Tallahassee was bedded down just as the lights shut off. Chicago froze, not wanting to break her toes as she tried to get to the 'bed.'

"Tal?" she whispered.

"Yeah," he replied. She used his voice to guide herself to him. She settled down using his arm for a pillow.

"You know what?" she smiled into the darkness.

"What?" he asked sounding sleepy.

"I stole something from the club tonight," she said.

"Really what is it?" he asked all of a sudden wide awake. She chuckled.

"I'm going to make you wait to find out," she teased. He groaned and she kissed him. "I love you baby," she whispered.

"I love you too," he replied. She yawned and was asleep before anything else could happen.

Less than an hour later Chicago woke up to getting kicked as Nana tried to 'tip toe' her way out of the room. "Where you going sweetie?" she asked.

"The bathroom," she replied.

"Okay, just don't flush the toilet," Chicago mumbled as Tallahassee rolled over. She was silent for a moment after Nana left. "Hey Denver, what time is it?" she asked. When there was no answer she sat up. "Denver?" she asked. He was nowhere to be seen. She got up and groped her way through the house.

"Denver?" She whispered loudly. "Denver?" she snapped again. As she wondered into the kitchen she caught the faint glow of red light from outside. She went to the back door and opened the sliding glass panel. "Up kind of late aren't you?" she asked. He sighed looking away from the ocean.

"You too," he replied.

"Yeah, well, insomniacs must stick together," she said. "Mind if I join you?" she asked. He patted the seat beside him on the glider and she sat down.

"It's nice here, I can see why she likes it," Chicago said.

"Yeah," he sighed. She crossed her arms. "So what's the plan now?" he asked. She looked at him.

"Is that what's keeping you up?" she asked.

"Well, we're past the point of no return. We can't leave the city without having to go through Anarchy. We're trapped," he said.

"We're just going to have to negotiate," she said.

"Somehow I doubt that will be effective," he replied.

"With fire, please let me finish my sentences," she joked.

"You think we can outgun them?" he asked,

"No, but I think we can keep them at bay. If we blow the bridge," she said. He sighed shaking his head.

"Can't then we're stuck," he said.

"It's the only way. They'll have to come by boat, and we can shoot 'em out before they ever get close," she reasoned.

"I know, but then you have to deal with supply trade after the fact. If we blow the bridge… quick escape is gone too… I dunno, it's risky," he sighed.

"Well, we'll just have to talk to whoever is in charge and see," she said with a sigh. She leaned over resting her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her. "You think we can pull this off?" she asked.

"Considering that I have no interest in dying, yes I think we can," he replied. She was thoughtful for a moment.

"Hard to believe it was just a few months back when everything was normal," she said finally. He smiled slightly.

"Well… if we need to justify the whole deal… I guess I'm happy since, I would have never met you if this hadn't happened," he said. She gave a small laugh.

"Is it strange that we're so comfortable right now? Before z-land, I would have never gotten this close… but now… there isn't a thing in the world I wouldn't trust you with," she said.

"Crisis brings people together," he said. "It's like the army. Those guys were my brothers, and I trusted them because we were all in the trenches together."

"Is that why?" she asked.

"I think so," he replied. "We kept each other alive," he said. She smiled closing her eyes briefly. "You know, Chicago, I haven't thanked you," he said. She opened her eyes again. The salty air was cold on her skin.

"For what?" she asked.

"You saved me," he said. She sat up giving him a puzzled look. "If it weren't for you I would have ended up at the bottom of a bottle," he said.

"I don't think so, you couldn't have afforded a whole bottle," she smiled. He grinned too.

"Yeah, well… I have a little thank you for ya," he said.

"Please, you don't have to," she said, but he pressed something into her hand.

"I've carried that around for years. I wanted Kim to have it, but in light of recent events… I want you to have it," he said. Chicago looked at the medal in her hand. It was a star attached to a colored ribbon. "It's a silver star medal," he said. Chicago couldn't look away from it.

"Why do you want me to have this," she said.

"Because when I die I want," his voice trailed off "Things like this are heirlooms… but since I don't have a family," he shrugged and she understood perfectly.

"Thank you," she said before hugging him. "You'll have to tell me how you got it," she said with a smile.

"Yeah, but not tonight. You should go back to bed," he said. She smirked.

"Yes sir," she said before saluting him and going back in the house.

 

Chapter 101- Military Twinkies ​

When Chicago woke up the next morning Denver and Phoenix were already up and around. She sat up and Tallahassee rolled over mumbling something about having a dollar with her name on it. "Do we even know where we're going?" she asked choosing not to kick him.

"Not really," Denver sighed.

"I bet I know who can help though," Phoenix said. Indeed he did look bad. His eyes and nose were puffy and slightly discolored. Denver frantically tried to stop him as he marched down the hall and beat on Kim's door. "Jersey, we need your help," he said as she groggily opened up the door.

"What? Who's Jersey?" she grumbled.

"You're Jersey. Do you know where military headquarters are?" he asked. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes then glared at Denver. He gave her an 'I'm sorry' look and she sighed.

"Wait just a minute, I know where you can go," she said before shutting the door in their face.

"Okay, me Denver and Tallahassee will go and talk to these guys. Phoenix and Columbus, I want you to go and have a look around, see if you can figure our how their going to hit us. Wichita, if you wouldn't mind, can you look after the girls?" Chicago sighed as she laced up her shoes.

"Why do I get stuck on scouting?" Phoenix complained.

"You wanna trade for babysitting?" Wichita replied.

"Hey, I resent that," Little Rock chimed in.

"You're on scouting because I trust your experience and reasoning," Chicago replied. Phoenix sighed, but said no more. "And I think that negotiation with the military will take a calmer tact than you are willing to offer," she added.

"So why are you taking Tallahassee?" Columbus laughed.

"That a sixty percent offense there," Tallahassee said before punching the younger man in the shoulder.

"I'm taking him because if we need to put a gun to someone's head to get them to see the light, he's a good one to have around," she said.

"So am I," Phoenix grumbled.

"Last time we let you try it though you got the shit kicked out of you," Tallahassee laughed. Phoenix was not amused.

"Are you cave-people ready yet?" Kim asked from the foyer. She looked like she had had her hair and make-up done by a professional. "Next time you raid the fridge clean up your mess," she said with venom in her voice.

"Seriously guys. Just go and get the job done. I wanna get it over with. We get Anarchy beat, the city safe, and we go," Chicago said before standing up and leaving.

"Who made you chief in charge?" Phoenix snapped. Chicago turned on him.

"Because I didn't hear anyone arguing it," she growled. It seemed like everyone in the room shrank a little at her fury. "Do you think you could do a better job?" she asked. He glared at her.

"No," he said at last.

"No what?" she replied.

"No, I could not do any better running this crew," he said. She kept a hard stare on him.

"I'm willing to listen to anything anyone has to say, but when the time comes I'm going to make the calls, not because I want to be in charge, but because I don't trust anyone else to make decisions regarding the safety of this family," she said then turned and briskly walked away. Tallahassee patted Phoenix on the shoulder.

"Submit man, it's just better that way," he said.

"Yeah, but I'm not looking to get laid by her, so I don't care if I'm on her good side," Phoenix grumbled. Tallahassee just smirked.

"Okay, you're funeral Amigo," he said before following Chicago and Denver.

***

"Okay, now, please, please, please," Kim said stopping the car. "Just try not to freak everyone out."

"Jersey relax, we're professionals," Tallahassee said popping a piece of gum in his mouth.

"Stop using that stupid code name, I'm not using your cities," she snapped. "And you're not professionals. You're a redneck with a gun, he's a drunk without a bottle, and I'm still not sure who you are," Kim sighed as she put on lipstick in the mirror.

"I'm the one that's going to kick your ass unless you lose the attitude," Chicago said coldly. The girls locked eyes and there was a moment that if looks could kill they both would have been dead.

"Lets go," Kim said opening the door and leading up to the way to the house.

"I thought was were going to talk to someone in charge. This looks like a private residence," Chicago said.

"You think that people in charge don't live at private residences?" Kim replied sounding snippy. She opened the screen door and knocked. "Could you all just take a step back?" she asked realizing that the others were crowding her.

"Sorry," Denver said as he stepped back. Chicago and Tallahassee stood back too, but much more slowly than Denver.

The door opened up and a man in a t-shirt and flannel pants opened the door. He smiled upon seeing Kim. "Hey Kim," he said.

"Hi Fynn," Kim smiled. They kissed each other on the cheeks in greeting. He then seemed to notice she wasn't alone. "Who are your friends?" he asked.

"Fynn this is, Chicago, Tallahassee and… Denver," Kim said pausing as if to decide what Denver was to her. "Everyone, this is Lieutenant Shaffer," Kim said. Fynn shook hands with the men and took Chicago's hand kissing it.

"Very pleased to meet all of you," he said. Chicago looked him over. He was in his forties probably, but in good shape. His hair was a color of silver she had never really seen before, somewhere between black and grey. A matching color of stubble was growing on his face giving him a bit a disheveled look. "So, what brings you here?" he asked.

"They need to talk to you about the security of the camp," Kim said. Fynn's face fell a little and he turned serious.

"Come on in," he said opening the door so everyone could enter. The house was nice, but it was clearly a bachelors pad. "We can uh, yeah, we can sit in at the table," he said moving back to the kitchen.

Chicago Denver and Tallahassee all immediately sat down, ready to work, but Fynn moved over to the refrigerator. "Sorry for the mess… and my appearance," he said as he fished something out. "I'm off duty," he added as he stood up holding a glass root beer bottle.

"And we're really sorry to bother you but this is important," Chicago said.

"Yeah, you're right, so," he sighed, "where's the breech this time?"

"It's not a breech lieutenant, it's an attack," Denver said. Fynn looked between the people at his table and Kim who was getting into one of the cabinets.

"What do you mean? Who would want to occupy the US in the middle of an outbreak?" he asked sitting down the glass.

"No one. These are Americans. They call themselves Anarchy. They just want to destroy the camp for the hell of it," Chicago said.

"Okay, lets say that's true, when are they going to do this? How many of them are there?" he asked.

"We don't know how many, but we know they'll be here by this evening," Chicago said. Fynn gave a disbelieving smile. Kim was pouring herself a glass of juice.

"Kim where did you find them?" he asked.

"They found me actually," she replied. He looked back at the people at his table.

"Look, I'd love to believe you, well actually I wouldn't because that means trouble, but uh- what proof have you got?" he asked. Denver looked at Kim who gave an 'I told you so' look.

"I'm sure if you went over to the mainland you'd find them," Denver said.

"Okay, and what do you propose we do?" he asked crossing his arms.

"Prepare to defend the city," Chicago said as if it should be obvious.

"We already have guards on patrol twenty-four seven," he replied.

"I mean get everyman you have lined up and ready to go. Get whatever fire power you have and be ready to use it… maybe even evacuate the city," Chicago sighed. Fynn burst out laughing.

"Evacuate? Where?" he snorted.

"I'm telling you, every man capable of handling a gun needs to be ready to fight, these people are ruthless," Chicago said seriously, Fynn regained a composed face. He paced a few steps looking contemplative. Chicago stood up. "Sir, I'm asking you to at least consider what we are saying."

"I am… and I'm trying to think of something you stand to gain by telling me to arm all of my men… and I can't think of anything," he said.

"Exactly," she nodded. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Okay, it bears cause for further investigation," he said. "I'll go get changed and we'll take it to the base. Help yourselves to anything you like, Kim knows where everything is," Fynn added before disappearing down the hall.

"Kim, you know this guy very well?" Denver asked.

"Well," she drew the word out.

-FLASHBACK-

"Whoa… damn Kim… what a work out," Fynn panted as he relaxed into the pillows. She flipped her hair out of her face.

"Too much for you to handle old man?" she asked playfully. They kissed and he smiled.

"No, but you gave me a run for the money," he chuckled. She settled into the sheets beside him.

"So, what number girlfriend am I?" she asked.

"Right now? Or overall," he replied. She laughed.

"Since I know you can't remember overall I'll settled for right now," she said.

"Well lets see there is Candy and Crystal and Ginger, and Missy," he began. She laughed and they kissed again. "I've had my share of girlfriends Kim, but I generally take them one at a time," he said. "What about you?"

"Don't worry Fynn you don't need to leave money on the dresser, I'm a stripper not a prostitute," Kim replied.

"Yes, yes you are. You are a very hot," he kissed her neck, "hot," he started to move down her neck, "hot, stripper."

"So much for military honor," she laughed as he kept going down.

-PRESENT-

"Not really," Kim shook her head. "We bumped into each other a couple times."

"I know that this is a pointless thing to ask, but does G.I. Joe have any Twinkies?" Tallahassee asked. Kim looked at him for a moment trying to figure out if he was serious or not.

"Do not answer that, I don't think eating another mans Twinkies is a good way to start a working relationship," Chicago said resting her head in her hands.

"Twinkies are in the top left cabinet, help yourself," Fynn said entering the room again. He was dressed in his military outfit. Chicago rolled her eyes as Tallahassee reverted into a five year old and began eating. Fynn was polite, but gave a couple looks to Kim and Chicago as of to as 'Really?'

 

102- Serious Trouble​

Kim got in the Jeep with Fynn and let the others follow in the car. "How did you meet these people?" he asked.

"I ran into them at the club," she lied.

"And?" he drew the word out reading her lie flawlessly.

"Well… Denver is my father," she said. Fynn was mid drink and spewed the root beer all over the windshield.

"He's your dad?" he exclaimed.

"I said he was my father, not my dad, there's a distinction," she said as she started to clean up the mess with a shirt she found on the floor.

"How do you figure?" he replied.

"A father fucks a girl and brings you into the world, a Dad takes care of you after that," she replied.

"Okay," he replied contemplating how angry she seemed. Not wanting to fan the fires he dropped the topic completely. "Levi won't be happy about this," he sighed.

"I'm sure," she replied. "Who is… what a stupid thing to say Fynn," she sighed.

"I hate it when you get like this," he replied.

"Oh bullshit, when I get bitchy you just leave, that's why we workout so well, we're always just a booty call away," she replied.

"Yeah, well like you just said, you only come around when you feel like it. You're essentially a goddamn cat," he shot back.

"No, you're more than ten years older than me, so I'm technically a kitten," she replied. He rolled his eyes.

"So, how would your father feel about that?" Fynn asked sounding amused.

"Don't turn your back to him he might kill you," she winked. "But he's not going to find out," she added.

***

Chicago was surprised when they left the road and pulled into a little parking lot by the beach. They got out and Fynn stretched putting his sunglasses Kim waited in the car, not surprisingly. Chicago cocked her head as she listened to chants and a whistle. Down the beach a-ways she could see training.

"I'm gonna have you talk to Colonel Kerch, he's the one running the show," Fynn said as they walked down the sandy beach. Fynn motioned for them to wait as he approached a younger man. After a moment of whispering the Colonel blew his whistle twice and some very tired looking men fell in around him.

"I need two soldiers," he said loudly. All of the men stepped forward and he grinned. "You and you," he said picking out two. "The rest of you, how many feet are in a mile?" he called out.

"Five thousand two hundred and eighty feet Sir!" the men shouted back in unison.

"Good, now you take that number and multiply it by five, and you RUN every foot of it!" he shouted. The weary boys saluted.

"Yes Sir!" they replied together before running off down the beach. There was another moment of orders from the colonel to his chosen two before they too ran off. He and Fynn both returned to Chicago and the boys.

"Hello, I'm Colonel Kerch," he said offering his hand to them. After a firm shake with each member of the party he and Fynn both fell into an 'at attention' stance. Chicago looked them both over again. Fynn was older than Kerch. Kerch was muscular and tall with sandy blond hair and blue eyes. He was clean-shaven unlike Fynn, but they both mirrored each other perfectly. "So, my boys are going to go check out the other shore, see if you are on to something," he said. "In the mean time, I'd like it if you all accompany us back to base," he added. Chicago could tell it was an order, not an invitation. She and the boys followed without any complaint.

***

Wichita sighed. She had been watching the girl run around on the beach all morning. They looked so happy. She would give anything to keep them like that, but she knew all too soon their giggles would turn to screams.

Around noon Wichita took them to the food tents and then they ate their rations in the shade of an old beach house. Wichita kept track of the time by the second. She knew that come nightfall, they would be at war. When she looked over and saw the girls disappearing around the corner she jumped up and gave chase.

"Nana, Little Rock," she called going after them. They were both running towards the pavement basketball courts. Wichita looked around and seeing no danger slowed. The breeze was gentle and all the people around her were clueless to the mortal danger they were in.

The girls came up to the chain link fence and pushed their way to the front. "Two on two," Nana said watching the games.

"Do you know how it works?" Little Rock asked. Nana laughed.

"Of course I know how to play basketball.

***

"Well, that doesn't look good," Columbus murmured. He was watching the opposite beach through his binoculars. Phoenix sighed.

"Can't even count them all," he murmured.

"What now?" the younger man asked. Phoenix peeled off a band-aid that Nana had 'doctored' his face with. She hadn't even gotten close to the cut, but it was the thought that counts.

"We go tell the others… unless you want to march over there now," Phoenix smiled.

***

Phoenix leisurely wondered towards Wichita who was sitting on the bleachers watching a basketball game. "Hey, where's the kids?" he asked sitting down beside her. Wichita pointed to the court. He looked down in time to see Little Rock steal the ball from a boy and pass it to Nana, who jetted down the court. She dribbled like a seven year old, but her speed forgave that.

"Whoa…" he murmured.

"They have been kicking ass and taking name," Wichita said. Nana shot the ball, once again looking like a seven year old and scored.

"Yah! That a girl Baby!" Phoenix cheered.

"So where's Columbus?" Wichita asked.

"He took the car and went to go report… the other beach is swarming. We better think of something pretty genius or we're screwed," Phoenix replied not tearing his eyes from the game.

"We'll think of something… the others won't let us lose this," Wichita replied.

Soon no one would play Nana and Little Rock, until Memphis and Salem showed up. They stepped out onto the court and Little Rock froze.

"Hey sweetheart," Memphis said with his normal grin. Salem looked like he suspected Little Rock of carrying a gun, which she was, and shooting them.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Just wanna play," he replied. She bounce passed the ball to him hard and it almost smacked him in the face.

"You wanna play?" she repeated. He bounced it back.

"Yeah, but I won't go easy because you're girls," he replied.

"Bring it," Little Rock replied.

**

"Wow…. That was a rough hit," Phoenix murmured holding himself. Little Rock had just stunted Memphis's manhood during a rebound. Whether it was intentional or not he wasn't sure.

"I tought her that," Wichita replied. The girls were stomping the boys. After Nana tripped Salem and scored another point Little Rock stopped.

"Ready to give?" she asked.

"You have my formal surrender," he panted. The crowd of spectators cheered. Phoenix went down and pushed his way to Nana.

"That was great sweetheart," he said picking her up. "Where'd you learn to do that?" he asked.

"Cousin Peter," she replied.

"Yeah? We'll you're really good. How about some ice cream to celebrate?" he asked.

"Yeah," she smiled.

**

Chicago Denver and Tallahassee followed Colonel Kerch along towards a very large beach house. Men in camo were everywhere and as they approached the door the sentries saluted. Kerch Saluted back. Inside the door Fynn reached up and grabbed Chicago's gun.

"Whoa!" she exclaimed.

"I'm afraid we're going to have to ask you to relinquish your arms here at the door," he said with a smile. "Considering you have them illegally," he added as he took her back up. She held out her arms deciding not to resist as he frisked her.

"How'd you know?" she asked.

"I'm trained to know when someone is packing.," he said then pulled a knife out of her boot. "and I've had my practice," he said as he found another knife tucked away in her other boot. "I'm damn near a metal detector by now," he smiled tossing her things into a box. A couple of other soldiers started to frisk Tal and Denver, confiscating their weight in concealed weapons. "Well, well, well… what do we have here?" Fynn whispered as he looked at the Silver Star medal that was pinned on the inside of her jacket. After the task was done, and after a couple very unhappy looks from Tallahassee they were talked back to a room that would have been a dining room, but looked like a conference room.

Kerch was sitting at the head of the table. "Please, have a seat," he said. The three of them sat down. "So, what kind of ties do you have to the terrorist group?" he asked.

"One of our friends was a member… then she joined us," Chicago replied.

"Yeah, then she took off again," Tallahassee grumbled.

"She is they're general so to speak, and refuses to call it off," Chicago sighed. Kerch nodded listening intently.

"Did you try to use force?" he asked.

"Yes, but it didn't persuade her," Denver replied.

"Well obviously we didn't use enough force," Tallahassee added. Fynn snorted in the background. Kerch was still unmoved.

"So, what exactly is their intent?" he asked.

"To Rape murder and steal whatever and whoever they want," Chicago replied coldly. The doors behind they then opened and Columbus along with the two scouts came in.

"We are in serious trouble," he said.

 

Chapter 103- Phase One​

In four short hours, things had been thrown together. In four short hours the board had been set on the defending sides team. The men had been made ready and the blockades were in place. The city was on high alert.

Kim had been left at the base with the kids, while Chicago and the others accompanied Colonel Levi Kerch and Lt. Shaffer. They'd also been introduced to Sergeant Major Zander Roth, the right hand man to Fynn, just as Fynn was Kerch.

Roth was a broad man, built much like Tallahassee. He had blue eyes and blond hair cut short. Probably was in his late thirties or early forties. He didn't speak much, but when he did, he commanded everyone's respect and attention save for his superiors. The privates trembled when he walked by.

As the sun started to get low everyone was sent to their positions. Fynn was on a boat somewhere, overseeing that the charges were placed properly on the bridge. After a heated debate they had decided blowing the thing was the only way to go.

Roth obediently stood behind Kerch, while Chicago and her friends waited silently. It was the calm before a storm.

**

"It's time," Maximus said. Summer rolled over holding the covers to her chest. She sighed. They had slept in the back of his truck and it was so silent she felt like there was nothing outside of the vehicle. The rest of the 'army' was outside of her little world though, waiting.

"Okay," she said. She looked out the window. The sun would be setting soon. Maximus wanted to hit the bridge just as the sun was going down. He wanted to start the fight during magic hour.

"We need to get everyone ready," he said. She sat up and put her bra on.

"Rock will head the water force, you and I can take everyone else across the bridge," she murmured. He grabbed her and kissed her neck roughly.

"Whatever you want," he growled then he left. She sighed and leaned back against the door. Lighting a cigarette she put a hand to her head. Phoenix kept popping into her head. Chicago and the others should have shot Maximus, even if it meant her death as well. Thing would probably be better anyway.

***

Chicago and the crew were standing at the edge of the bridge where Levi and his men had formed a barricade of trucks and such. They all looked across the bridge, each one envisioning the oncoming attack.

"Are we set?" Levi asked.

"All the charges are in position," Fynn replied over the radio.

"Good," Levi sighed. "And the men?"

"In position as well," Zander sighed.

"When they start across the bridge I'm going to go out there," Chicago said. "No doubt that Summers going to be leading the charge."

"Too dangerous," Tallahassee said.

"Just relax," Chicago said.

"This is NOT the time to be saying relax," Columbus muttered as he paced. Chicago smirked. He looked like he was about to die. Wichita and Denver seemed incredibly calm. Phoenix and Tallahassee just seemed eager.

"So, they're going to come at sunset no doubt," Levi smiled.

"How classic," Zander muttered.

***

The advance had started and Summer was in the first truck. Her stomach was in knots as they approached the bridge. Maximus was grinning. Once they were on the bridge they could see the forces waiting on the other end. "Oh, this is going to be fun," he murmured.

Summer saw Chicago walk out from the barricade into the open and stand in the middle of the road. "Stop the car, I'll walk it from here," Summer said. He stopped the car and she got out.

"Summer!" Chicago called. Summer walked forward leisurely wearing her mask of apathy.

"Chicago I warned you not to get the 'army' involved," Summer sighed. Chicago didn't budge. "You realized you killed everyone by not leaving when I gave you the chance?" She added.

"Summer, I'm going to give you one more chance. Call. It. Off," Chicago growled. Summer laughed.

"You think I could actually just turn around and send all these people home?" she replied.

"All I ask is that you try," Chicago replied.

"How motherly," Summer smiled sarcastically then went serious again. "Unless you want me to shoot you on the spot, walk away," she said. Chicago didn't budge. Summer pulled out her gun and aimed it at Chicago.

Tallahassee jumped to his feet. "Shit!" he hissed both Phoenix and Denver grabbed him.

"No! No! Let her do this!" Denver said. Tallahassee stopped struggling. "Let's just see where she goes with this," he said as a still returned to the field. Tallahassee was like a dog on point, every muscle poised to spring.

"Colonel, if that girl shoots she better be dead before I have time to hope this barrier," Tallahassee whispered.

"Snipers be advised, the female brunette with the gun is priority, do not shoot until shots are fired," Levi whispered into the radio.

"Hey, anyone want to tell me whats going on?" Fynn asked.

"We got ourselves a Mexican stand-off, just sit tight… you seeing any movement?" Levi replied.

"Oh, we got movement," Fynn said watching the far shore through binoculars. The other docks were full of Anarchy. "You better hurry up," he added.

"Summer! I'm telling you, just call it off," Chicago demanded.

"Sorry, I'll make it fast," Summer said. Her finger tightened on the trigger.

"Do it! Do it now!" Chicago and Tallahassee's call went out in unison. Levi gave the signal and the charges were detonated. Summer was knocked off balance by the massive shock wave sent off. Both she and Chicago promptly fell over when the pavement cracked beneath them.

Time had slowed and for a brief moment their eyes locked. In the fraction of a second, an entire exchange took place.

'I'm sorry,' Summer said.

'I'm sorry too,' Chicago replied.

'But it has to be this way. I'm going to fight, so you better be ready,' Summer said.

'Don't worry, I am. Summer I aim kill you,' Chicago said.

'And I aim to kill you. I won't hold back,' Summer seemed to snarl.

'I'm not holding back either,' Chicago replied.

'This is the start of a battle,' Summer said.

'This is the start of war,' Chicago replied.

The pavement lurched as the bridge started to crumble and they broke the glare. Both of them scrambled back to their sides. "Back it up! Back it up!" Summer screamed waving her troops back.

"She's not going to make it," Tallahassee murmured. The bridge collapsed from the middle out as the cracks grew and the chunks fell down into the water. Tallahassee was on his feet.

Chicago jumped a giant crack and scrambled towards safety. The piece that she was on though fell and she leapt. "Fuck!" she snapped as she didn't make it and was left dangling off the edge. Tallahassee grabbed her hand and started to pull her up.

"You're such a pain," he joked.

"Thank you," she panted.

"Get off there!" Phoenix called. Tallahassee and Chicago didn't have a chance and they plunged down with the rubble.

"Shit!" Columbus exclaimed.

"All boats be advised we have two people in the water," Levi said. "I repeat, Chicago and Tallahassee are in the water."

"In the water?" Fynn snapped. Over the radio they could hear the rev of a boat engine.

Chicago bobbed back up above the water. She was silently thanking god she hadn't been crushed by falling rubble, but verbally cursing him for making the water cold and absurdly rough from the debris. "Tal?" she screamed over the noise before she bobbed back under. "Tallahassee!" she screamed again when she came back up.

Fynn couldn't spot anyone for the massive churning of the water. He went slowly as he approached where Chicago ant Tallahassee surly had to be. "Chicago! Tallahassee!" he called.

"Fynn?" she asked as she thought she heard his voice on the wind. "I'm here!" she screamed as loud as she could and threw her hand into the air. "I'm here!" she screamed working so hard to stay above water.

Fynn's head snapped around and he caught a little glimpse of her before a wave washed over her. He managed to get the boat close enough and grabbed her up out of the water. "You okay? You alright?" he asked as she panted.

"I can't find Tal," she said on the brink of tears before she looked back out at the water.

"Fynn what's our status?" Levi asked.

"I have Chicago in the boat," Fynn replied as he twisted the wheel so that they could look for Tallahassee.

***

"What now?" one of the men asked as Summer stalked through the convoy.

"Summer," Maximus snapped.

"Get all of your fucking asses down to the boats! Next person I see not doing anything gets it!" she snapped.

"You know we don't have enough boats," Maximus replied calmly.

"Goddamn it! You gotta be five finger fucking me!" she hissed.

"We could use a casino boat," some wise ass in the crowd laughed. Summer pulled out her gun and blew him away.

"If I don't see you getting on a boat or trying to do so, God help you, you will be shot," she said loudly enough everyone could hear.

***

"Tallahassee!" Chicago screamed. The water was starting to quiet relatively.

"We need to go back in," Fynn said softly as he tried to wrap a blanket around her. Chicago whirled glaring at him.

"We CANNOT leave him out here," she said. Fynn didn't want to be the one to speak the possibility that Tallahassee was gone.

"Uh- Be advised, we are still attempting to recover Tallahassee," Fynn said into the radio.

***

"I'm going down there," Columbus said finally.

"I'll go with him," Wichita said. Denver and Phoenix stayed behind. They went down to the docks promptly.

***

"Tallahassee!" Chicago was starting to lose her voice she'd screamed his name over and over again. Fynn shut the motor off.

"Chicago," he said. She was crying. "Chicago we need to go in… get you dried off… I can't dock this thing in the dark," he said. She was sobbing now.

"Tal!" she rasped one last time. Fynn took her shoulder gently trying to seat her, but instead she turned and buried her face in him. He held her as she sobbed.

"I'm so sorry," he said comforting her. Chicago sniffled and collected herself.

"Okay, lets go," she breathed. Fynn solemnly started the boat and took them in.

***

The kids were waiting on the dock as they pulled up. "Did you find him?" Columbus asked helping grab the boat and pull it to the dock. Chicago stepped out wringing her hair.

"Tallahassee's off the grid… Where's Denver and Phoenix?" she asked. Columbus was too heartbroken to reply.

"They're up with Levi," Wichita replied knowing the best thing she could do was keep going for Chicago.

"Lets get to it," Chicago sighed. Fynn stepped out of the boat and ran his hand through his hair. Chicago was already off the dock and he looked at Columbus.

"Sorry about your friend," he said. Columbus just nodded. He looked out at the water. The Cowboy was too immovable to be gone so fast.

**

"Phase two! Phase two! Let go! Go! Go!" Roth snapped at his men as they scurried to assume their positions at the docks and beach.

"Rember, we're going to be spread thin! No one gets past the line!" Kerch shouted.

 

Chapter 104- Aim For The Heads ​

Chicago jumped in a jeep and changed her clothes quickly, adding a flak jacket to her attire. When she was done she sat for a moment trying to collect herself. Tallahassee was gone and she knew she had to accept it, but she couldn't. For a moment she sat in the drivers seat and tried to stop the tears that kept running down her face.

Denver was, of course, the one to slipped into the passenger seat. "Chicago, I'm sorry," he started. She wouldn't look at him. She just looked at the emblem on the middle of the steering wheel. "I don't think you should be out here and Colum-" she wasn't going to listen to his shit. She got out of the car and started to walk away. "Chicago!" he called making her stop as he got out and rounded the front of the car. "Chicago, I am sorry, but we can't have you fight like this," he said. She looked back glaring at him.

"You think I'm useless?" she asked. "You think because I just lost the man I love I'm any less fit to help? Denver! I want to char the earth and kill those fuckers so I am more than fit to fight," she growled keeping her voice low and snappy. He sighed.

"I know… and that's why you shouldn't be here. Chicago we can't afford for you to be a lose cannon here," he said. She took a couple steps back getting in his face. "We're all hurting… but you-" he started but she grabbed him and slammed him back against the car.

"Why didn't you grab him!" she shouted. "Why? I was fine! He came to save me! Why didn't you stop him!" she screamed.

"Chicago! Chicago!" Denver snapped until she shut up and listened to him, still clinging tight to his jacket. "Go ahead… if hitting me right now will make you feel better then you go ahead and you do it. If I need to be the face of the enemy fine… but nothing is going to bring Tal back," he said lowering his voice. Her face softened and she released him. Chicago couldn't believe Denver had actually said that to her. She walked away without anything else being said.

**

Summer looked despondently out at the water. "We have to wait for it to get dark," one of the men said.

"And give them time to set up? That's a real good idea," she snarled.

"We can't take the boats across here… they'll blow us right out of the water," Maximus sighed. Summer lit a cigarette.

"We're going to wait until it gets dark, then all of you are going to follow me, because I have a plan," she said blowing smoke up into the air. "We're going to step aside and let nature take it's course," she sighed.

**

Kim sifted through the cans in her cabinet. She threw them around restlessly and finally sighed bowing her head and stopping the search. "What are you acting all stressed about? You haven't got a horse in this race," Little rock said coming in from the living room.

About an hour after they had been left at the base they'd went back to Kim's beach house. The empty compound had been too much to handle.

"I have just as much in it as you," Kim replied. "I don't want to die."

"Of course that's all you think about," Little Rock rolled her eyes before hopping up onto the cabinet to sit. "My whole family is out there… since you've made it clear that you don't think much of Denver… I think I have one on you," Little Rock rested her head to one side.

"Yeah, well," Kim returned to the search of the cabinet, "my friends are out there too." She didn't want to tip her hand too much about Fynn.

"You still haven't got anything one me," Little Rock shrugged. Kim rolled her eyes and took out two cans.

"Soup or Spaghettios?" she asked in a deadpan.

"Soup," Little Rock replied without hesitation.

"What makes you so wise that you can lecture me anyway?" Kim sighed as she opened the can and put the contents in a bowl.

"You're the reason I'm here," she said. Kim looked back as she walked to the microwave. Little Rock kept a glare steady. "If it weren't for you, me and my family wouldn't be here… but Denver came looking for you, and he stayed…for you. No matter how much he denies it," Little Rock said. Kim put the bowl in the microwave. "And Chicago wouldn't have come to help him… we'd all be safe hundreds of miles away… but we came here… for you."

"You're what? Twelve?" Kim asked. "Why are you bent on telling me this?"

"Actually I'm almost thirteen," Little Rock snapped.

"Oh, that makes it okay then," Kim quipped.

"I'm telling you this because if we die, death would be to quick for you," Little Rock said hopping off of the counter. Kim was taken aback by the acidity in the girls voice.

"You don't act like a thirteen year old," she said dumbly.

"Yeah, well, I have a lot of baggage that got me here," little rock replied. The microwave dinged and Kim pulled the soup out.

"Here," she said. Little Rock took it.

"Nana!" she shouted. The younger girl came from the living room. "Here you go," Little Rock handed the soup over.

"I thought that was for you," Kim said.

"No, Nana is hungry," Little Rock replied.

"Then why didn't she ask me?" Kim replied.

"She only talks to people she likes, and she doesn't like you," Little Rock replied as she went with Nana back to the living room. Kim leaned on the counter. She didn't like being smacked around by a thirteen year old.

**

"Where's Chicago?" Phoenix asked as Denver walked up behind him.

"I have no idea, the main thing is that she isn't here," Denver said.

"You benched her?" he asked.

"I made her so mad at me she doesn't want to be around me," he replied.

"And that helps us how?" Phoenix replied.

"Fighting when you're mad makes you sloppy… fighting when you're upset makes you blind… we already lost Tal, lets not lose her too." he sighed. Fynn stood from where he had been leaning against a jeep.

"Where did you send her?" he asked.

"I didn't, she took off," Denver replied.

"Someone should go find her then, we don't need her getting into trouble," he said.

"Columbus, would you find Chicago?" Phoenix said getting on a radio.

"Where did she go?" Columbus replied.

"If we knew that we wouldn't need you to find her," Phoenix replied. There was a pause.

"I'll go find her," Columbus muttered sounding flustered.

**

Chicago was on the far beach, away from all the carnage that was about to take place. Halfway through a beer she heard shuffling and was alerted to something else on the beach. She pulled out her gun. "Who ever is there, better show himself," she growled. No one answered. "I'm serious fucker," she snapped. The shuffled increased and out of the dark a zombie grabbed her. "Shit!" she hissed desperately grabbing the monsters throat as the gun flew from her hand.

She was between a rock and a zombie as they wrestled. For a moment she thought about letting it go, then she remembered that the others still needed her. With her other hands she stretched for the gun. It was classically just out of reach. "Come on," she grunted.

In the darkness a shot rang out and the zombie was blasted off the top of her. "Shit!" she exclaimed and scrambled for the gun when she saw who it was, but a boot heel came across her face too fast for her to stop it.

**

On the opposite beach it was pitch black. The army was in wait for the impending attack and Kerch was starting to get restless. "Something isn't right," he said to Zander, who nodded.

"If they were going to move we would have heard it by now," he said.

"Did anyone find that errant shot?" Levi asked.

"No, probably just someone in the city," Fynn sighed. He paced back and forth. A splash in the water made everyone jump. All the guns were focused out into the darkness on the sound. "No lights!" Fynn hissed to the nervous men. It was too late though because one of the boys had a flashlight flicked on before anyone could stop it.

"Horde!" Phoenix snapped. The light drew the zombies like a moth to a flame. How the undead had gotten across the water was anyone's guess, but plenty were on their way as a barrage of bullets went out to meet them.

"Aim for the heads!" Roth shouted.

**

Columbus didn't think when he arrived at the beach. A figure was over Chicago and he couldn't help but scream when he saw them plug her in the chest. He just pulled the trigger and saw the bodies drop. After he was sure it was clear he sprinted out to Chicago and cradled her in his arms. "Chicago! Chicago!" he whispered frantically. Her mouth was bleeding. "Chicago," he repeated gently tapping her cheek. She came around slowly at first then jolted upright.

"What happened?" she asked looking around. Columbus had never been so relieved.

"Looks like some of Anarchy came around back," he replied. She rubbed her jaw.

"Zombies are on the island," she said. He looked at the corpse. Then they both listened to the fire on the other side. "Come on," she said standing up. "Where's your car?" Columbus pointed and she took the wheel.

**

"Shit!" Fynn snapped as he dropped another zombie. "How many of these things are coming?" he added reloading his gun.

"Just. Keep. Shooting," Zander punctuated each word with a shot. Levi looked around. Denver, Phoenix, and Wichita were holding their own alongside the trained soldiers.

"Can we get some incendiaries in here!" he snapped.

**

Chicago jumped out of the jeep and sprinted towards the fight. She grabbed an AK-47 and shot a couple zombies as she hunted for her friends. "I figured it out!" she called. Kerch didn't pause. "The explosion drew the zombies! They're letting them run us down!" she called. He stopped and looked at her.

"What?" he snapped over the machine gun fire.

"Anarchy is baiting us! If we don't use the ammunition now, we're dead. If we do use it now, they'll come in after we're tired and hurt and kill us!" she exclaimed. He said something profane, but she couldn't hear it as the grenades stared to go off.

"Lieutenant!" Kerch snapped not blinking as the grenades exploded.

"Yes Sir?" Fynn stopped his fight.

"I want you to prepare evac for the VIPs and then you're going to get Chicago and all her friends on the second chopper. Clear?" he asked.

"Permission to ask why Sir?" Fynn replied.

"Because we're fucked Fynn," Levi replied. Fynn pause.

"Yes Sir!" he replied. "Go get your friends," he said to Chicago who nodded and went for the others.

**

The helicopters were whirring on the baseball field that had been made into a pad and as they arrived nearly everyone realized it wasn't going to carry all of them. "That won't hold all of us," Chicago said to Denver. Her hair was whipped violently around her head.

A bunch of stiffs in suits were being hustled onto the other helicopter. For a moment Chicago wondered who the VIPs were exactly, before her thoughts returned to her own situation.

"I know," he replied. They exchange a grave glance. Fynn helped Kim Wichita and Little Rock into the helicopter. Chicago hung back. Phoenix had definitely noticed too. Columbus was halfway in the chopper by the time he realized something was wrong.

"Come on!" he snapped looking back.

"We're not all gonna fit," Chicago announced officially. Columbus hopped out and ran back to them.

"We'll just have to pack in tight," he said.

"That thing won't fly with all of us," Chicago said over the sound.

"You two go and take Nana, we'll stay behind," Phoenix said in regards to Denver and himself. Chicago shook her head.

"I'm not leaving, I'll stay… I hate heights anyway," she added.

"Lets go!" Fynn called wanting to get the chopper off the ground.

"I'm not leaving you guys!" Columbus objected.

"Columbus!" Chicago snapped. "You have to go with the girls," she said. "You have to go with Wichita! You have to go with Little Rock!" Chicago said grabbing Columbus and shoving him towards the chopper. The younger man seemed to understand the order. Chicago looked over at the remaining people.

"I'll stay," Phoenix said despite the fact he was holding Nana. "But Nana needs to go with you," he added. Columbus looked afraid but moved to take the child. "Don't take my daughter unless you mean it," Phoenix growled fiercely. Columbus looked startled but nodded and took Nana.

He took her to the helicopter and strapped her in before buckling himself in. "She can hold one more," Fynn shouted.

"Denver I want you to go with them," Chicago said. He shook his head starting to protest. "I'm not asking now Denver, I'm telling you! Go take care of our family!" Chicago snapped. Denver clenched his jaw.

"Good luck!" he called then went and got onboard the helicopter. Chicago and Phoenix stood back and watched the craft lift their friends away. They watched out the open door of the helicopter solemnly as they shrank. The sound and the wind dissipated and soon all that was left was the sound of the fight on the ground below.

"Well… in the words of Harry Stamper… this was a real good idea," Chicago sighed.

"So what now?" Phoenix asked.

"I'm really wishing we hadn't blown that bridge now," she said.

"Come on, let's go," Fynn said.

 

Chapter 105- Phase Two​

They returned to the fighting just in time to see more bodies dropping. Dearly all of the zombies were dead in the water and beach, but this time it was the army that was falling.

"Return fire! Return Fire!" Kerch roared. Fynn pulled Phoenix and Chicago down. They crawled towards the front

"They're shooting at us now?" Fynn snapped.

"Yeah, got a couple fast runner boats! We're not able to get a bead on 'em," a soldier replied.

"Shit!" Fynn hissed. They all saw as Kerch went down. "Levi!" he shouted. Chicago felt like she'd been transported into a war movie, but there was no heroic glamorous music, and no eye popping effects. Just blood and death and fear. She was unspeakably afraid, but Fynn clearly wasn't.

He jumped up, ran through the crossfire, dodged an IED and grabbed Kerch who was prone on the ground. "Come on brother, we're not going to say goodbye here," he grunted dragging Kerch.

"Leave me! Leave me!" Kerch snapped.

"You still owe me fifty bucks, I am not going to let you die," Fynn replied as he got Kerch under cover. Promptly he started to dig through his eight million pockets for a wrap. "See, that's the secret of eternal life, always owe someone money and you'll never die," Fynn joked. Levi had caught it in the shoulder. "Not so bad," Fynn said as he pressed the gauze against the wound.

"Are the choppers gone?" Kerch asked through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, Chicago and Phoenix are the only ones left," Fynn replied.

"Why?"

"Not enough room," Fynn sighed.

"Sirs," a soldier said dropping down beside them. "They have a big cargo carrier coming," he said. Both Fynn and Kerch popped their heads up long enough to see the lights.

"Damn it!" Kerch hissed.

"And more of the zombies are coming ashore," the man said.

"Shit!" Fynn snapped.

"I can fix that last one," Chicago said. "Hide your boys at the base of the bridge, I'll do the rest," she said. Kerch nodded and Zander was shouting orders without a moments pause.

Phoenix didn't have time to argue Chicago's half-baked plan as she grabbed a flare and screamed at the top of her lungs waving it above her head. She took off sprinting. The zombies followed like a mob of dogs chasing a steak. She ran right out onto the bridge, and they followed. The soldiers quickly closed off the end of the bridge and created a firing squad. Chicago looked around and sighed when she realized that escape she had hoped for was not available. The prospect of doubling back through the zombies was impossible so she did the only thing she could think to do.

After a deep breath she closed her eyes and jumped. She hated heights but she hated zombies more. She hit the water feet first and bobbed back up as fire started. When the zombies started to crash over the edge as well and fall on top of her though, her brilliant plan hit another hitch. She was now swimming in zombie infested water with no boat and heavy clothes.

There were to many between her and the shore so she turned and started to swim for the opposite side.

**

"Well fuck everything!" Phoenix snapped. "So what now?" he asked.

"We have to stop that cargo boat, if it gets here we're fucked," Kerch said gingerly moving around.

"We don't have enough ammo to stop it," Fynn shook his head. The fighting had gotten slightly quieter as the zombies subsided and Anarchy was back on their side.

"What if we back the stuff on a boat then we blow the boat?" Phoenix asked. There was a pause.

"That might work," Fynn replied.

"That's brilliant, where did you come up with that?" Kerch asked.

"Columbians celebrate Christmas with fireworks. I know how to handle explosives," Phoenix replied.

"Major Roth!" Kerch called. Zander appeared.

"Yes Sir?" he asked.

"Phoenix is going to brief you on the game plan," Kerch replied.

**

Chicago washed ashore more that she did swim. She was exhausted and panting as she lay on the nasty rocky shore. She stood up finally looking around for any immediate danger. There was none that she could see, and she was just about to go when she spotted something that made her heart jump into her throat. Tallahassee's hat was on a rock. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands as she looked around. Up the beach a few yards she saw his jacket she retrieved it as well.

"Tal?" she whispered loudly. There was no reply and she sighed. Leaving his hat and his jacket she vowed to return and collect them later.

Chicago trudged until she found a hiding place where she could watch the activities of Anarchy. The thugs were all loading onto one big boat. Her radio crackle in her pocket and she picked it up. "Hello?" she asked cautiously unable to believe it was still functioning.

"Chicago, thank god you're alive, where are you?" Fynn asked.

"I'm on the shore opposite of you," she replied.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I never get through an entire plan without something going wrong, get to the point and tell me what's happening," she snapped.

"We're loading a boat and we're going to blow it up ," he replied.

"And how does blowing one of our boats help exactly?" she asked.

"Trust me," he replied. "Do you want me to pick you up?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'll be down at the base of the bridge," she replied.

"Okay, be there in five hopefully," he replied. She made her way back and sure enough he was waiting off shore a bit. She swam out to him and he pulled her into the boat.

"So what is the plan exactly?" she asked.

"We packed a boat full of all out explosives and we're going to park it right next to their cargo boat and we're going to blow it to hell," he said.

"Okay, that makes more sense," she replied as he gunned it. They zipped by the loaded boat and waited a safe distance away. She shivered and Fynn put his jacket around her. "So is Levi okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, he was just being a baby, he's fine," Fynn replied.

"That was amazing when you went after him," she added. As she got up and started looking through the boat for a better blanket.

"I gotta look after him, we've been friends for a very long time," he sighed. "Levi may be a prodigy, but he's still human," he added.

A burst of gunfire interrupted their conversation and they both looked up in time to see someone run off the bow of the cargo ship and hit the water. Chicago recognized the whoop immediately.

"Tal!" she exclaimed standing up. He was swimming furiously as Anarchy shot at him from the boat.

"Shit!" Fynn exclaimed knowing that Anarchy would see the bomb boat now.

"We gotta go pick him up!" she exclaimed. Fynn fired the engine and they swung around. Chicago pulled Tallahassee into the boat and showered him with kisses as they sped back to safety.

"Hey babe!" he said happy to see her.

"I love you! I love you!" she chanted kissing and fawining over him. "Oh my god! I thought you we're dead," she said happily as she started to cry. They embraced in one big wet mess until more shots rang out. Fynn ducked.

"Goddamn it!" Fynn hissed.

"What?" she asked looking up.

"Malcovich is dead, they just shot him. We have a bomb with no one to trigger it," he replied. She sighed.

"How we gonna get at it? They'll shoot us," Tallahassee panted.

"I have an idea," she said as she stood up and tore one of the seats up. Underneath was a wakeboard and tow-rope. She started to attach the rope.

"Babe, what are you doing?" he asked.

"I'll swim to the boat, they won't see me because you'll distract them. I'll trigger the bomb, you do a flyby and throw me this rope and the rest is easy," she said. Both the guys looked skeptical.

"Are you sure you can do that?" Fynn asked.

"I'm from Chicago, I grew up by the lakes, and I'm a damn good boarder," she said.

"I don't think," Tallahassee began, but she ignored him.

"That's right you don't think," she said before hopping over the rail leaving the rope in Tallahassee's hand. She took the board with her and started to swim for the bomb boat. Fynn and Tallahassee exchanged glances.

"How do you live with her?" Fynn asked.

"I dunno," Tallahassee replied. Fynn fired up the engine and they zipped around shouting at Anarchy. The distraction worked and Chicago managed to get aboard the little boat. She pushed aside the body of the dead soldier and found the little triggering mechanism under his hand. She flipped all the switches to on and a little timer appeared. Pressing the last button the timer started to count down from one minute.

She quickly took off her shoes and strapped the board onto her feet. Even at risk of being shot she hopped up onto the rail and swung her leg over the side. Tallahassee and Fynn spotted her. "Okay, one shot!" Fynn said Tallahassee nodded as he was poised to toss the rope.

Chicago waited as they circled around. She was waiting to be shot more than she was to be rescued. The boat flew by and Tallahassee made the toss. Chicago snagged it and got her hands in position waiting for the rope to go taught. "Okay okay okay," she chanted. "You can do this," she breathed.

The rope got tight and although her arms were almost jerked off Chicago managed to stay upright. She then got her balance after she was on plain. "Whooooooooooohooooooooooo! Yeah baby!" Tallahassee bellowed as Chicago shredded back and forth.

Chicago laughed as well unable to suppress a huge grin. She had never done a take off that way before. She had never boarded in her clothes and she had never been doing so well with such a bad driver. It was very clear that Fynn had no idea what he was doing.

She went up off a wake and caught some air feeling insanely pleased with herself. The bomb blew and the ensuing explosion freaked the living hell out of her. She caught the edge of the wake and just wasn't able to recover. She wiped out in a most spectacular fashion. "Oop-shit she's down," Tallahassee said calmly when he saw her bob back up. Chicago spit out some water and brushed her hair out of her eyes.

"Whooohooo!" She said pumping her fist in the air and clinging to her board as she looked back at the flaming wreckage. "YEAAAAHHH!" she shouted unable to believe she had just pulled that off. On the other shoreline she could hear cheering.

**

Summer stared at the blaze unblinkingly. Maximus had his arms crossed beside her. "So, now what's your master plan?" he asked.

"Don't talk to me like you think this is my fault," she growled.

"The Matriarch won't be happy," he said.

"I know!" she snapped and whirled smacking him. "I said we would take this city and we will!" she growled as he rubbed his cheek. "If we can't have it… we'll burn it."

 

Chapter 106- Need Does Not Equal Want ​

They hit the beach and were instantly swamped by a mob of soldiers. Chicago was patted on the back so much she though the air would never fill her lungs back up. The crowd parted and Kerch approached them. "Good job," he smiled offering his good hand. Tallahassee and Chicago both gave a firm shake.

"Tallahassee?" Phoenix exclaimed pushing his way through the crowd. "You're alive! Holy shit man! I thought you were a goner!" he exclaimed grabbing Tallahassee and slapping him on the back. Tallahassee grabbed Phoenix in response throwing his arm around the man's shoulders.

"We did it brother!" he cheered then suddenly stopped cold. "Babe, where are the kids?" he asked.

"We put the on a chopper, they're safe," she replied. Tallahassee looked relieved.

**

"Ohio?" Wichita had noticed the increasing fear plastered on Columbus's face.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm fine," he said intently keeping his eyes fixed on the floor. He hadn't looked out once since Chicago and Phoenix had shrank from sight. The whole ride had been increasingly awkward and tiresome. The only relief was the sight of Nana wearing big red earmuffs to protect her ears from the sound of the helicopter. They were half as big as she was and she kept bobbing her head from side to side they were so heavy.

Denver and Kim were sitting directly across from each other, making it hard to not look at one another. Denver had committed to reading safety instructions plastered on the wall over and over. They hadn't changed much since his last flight on a chopper. Kim, on the other hand, kept a steady gaze outside. She watched the water as they flew up the coast until at last they started the decent.

Columbus was taking deep breaths as his stomach lurched and they descended. Nana leaned out to look and jerked his sleeve pointing at something, "Uh-huh, that's nice, don't lean like that," he said pulling her back a little. Wichita smiled.

Little Rock had been very quiet. She'd been told why Tal wasn't present at take off. The girl hadn't cried, but she was very close. Her deepest regret was not being there.

The helicopter set down in an open field and everyone unstrapped. Columbus was first off. His instinct was to run from the evil flying machine, but instead he turned back and helped Nana out.

Once they were clear of the blades they realized that nothing was around. It was just a clearing surrounded by trees. Columbus spun around, but the helicopters were already taking off, leaving him, his family, and a bunch of guys in suits standing in the middle of the clearing.

"What now?" Kim asked.

"Maybe someone is coming to pick us up?" Little Rock said. There was a sound in the trees and everyone spun knowing what it was. Columbus grabbed his knife and pushed Nana back against Denver. He started off at a walk, but broke into a sprint when the zombies burst through the tree line. Wichita was right on his heels.

Columbus was scared, but we was not going to risk something happening to his family. Not while he was supposed to be on watch. The first zombie went down, and he kicked the second. The third grabbed him, but he knocked it down. Wichita shot the downed zombies.

"Are you crazy?" she hissed taking a hold of him. He wiped his knife off.

"Do you want me to just sit by while those things eat you?" he replied. She cocked her head.

"No, but still… what's gotten into you?" she replied.

"Tal's gone, Chicago and Phoenix aren't here. It's you me and Denver… we all gotta step up," he replied.

Kim grabbed Denver's arm without thought as she jumped at the sound of motors. Across the clearing four jeeps pulled in. Men in camo got out and marched across. The suits were hustled to the jeeps and whisked away while the soldiers seemed confused by the presence of Columbus and his family.

Utter panic was all Columbus felt when the soldiers started to leave again. "Wait!" he stammered wishing his voice was about a million octaves lower. The soldiers looked back. "We need a ride," he added.

The soldiers didn't really speak as they grabbed Columbus Wichita and the rest, shoving them into the jeeps. It was a rough ride through the woods until huge razor wire fences popped up out of nowhere. "Jesus," Columbus murmured looking at the guard towers.

"Welcome home," Denver sighed. Somehow things like this didn't faze him anymore. Inside after going through several gates, each with more locks, the jeeps stopped and the crew was pushed out.

More panic ensued in Columbus's brain when they were shoved to their knees by the soldiers and guns were raised. "Shit! Whoa! Whoa!" Columbus exclaimed. Nana and Little Rock were pulled away as the adults were ordered to put their hands on the back of their heads. Denver was still unfazed, because he's been here too, though he was working on a plan to get out of the spot anyway. "Colonel Kerch sent us! Kerch sent us! Kerch sent us!" Columbus shouted repeatedly.

Little Rock's stomach dropped as soon as the situation had cropped up, and she stood listening to Nana sniffle and Wichita mouth the words 'run away, go!' over and over. She looked at the nice revolver in the belt of the man next to her. It wouldn't d much against the AK-47s that were pressed against the back of her family's head though, especially not with her trembling hands.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Every one stand down!" a voice boomed. Columbus looked out of the corner of his eye and spotted a more decorated man walking towards them. "What is happening here?" he asked.

"The second helicopter dropped these people off sir. We have no documentation for them," a soldier explained.

"So you were just going to line them up and shoot them?" the officer asked sounding like a parent talking to a child. The soldier didn't seem to have an answer. "How about we try something new? How about we talk to them like they are human beings and like you have some small measure of intelligence," the officer said before offering his hand to Kim and helping her to her feet. "I'm so sorry about them," he said to the group as they all got to their feet and the guns were lowered.

Nana and Little Rock ran back to the adults. Little Rock stood at Wichita's side and Nana wasn't going to be content until she was in someone's arms, luckily Denver was ready to oblige. "I'm Colonel Donald McCray," the officer said shaking hands with the group. "You'll have to excuse my men, it doesn't take much to get them worked up anymore," he sighed.

He was an older man, and looked tired from his life. His short cut hair was somewhere between blond and grey. His eyes were a shade of blue that looked like a cloud might float right past.

"We understand," Wichita said giving a winning smile as he shook her hand. She figured since the art of manipulation started at the first contact she needed to step up her game, just like Columbus had said.

"So, Kerch sent you did he?" McCray asked.

"Yes. You know what's happening in Jersey?" Columbus asked. The older man looked back at him.

"Bits and pieces, I trust you'll fill me in Mr.?" McCray trailed off as he fished for a name.

"Columbus," Columbus replied. The same look of confusion that the announcement always brought was present on the colonel's face.

"Odd name," he observed.

"Well, we don't use our names anymore, we use our cities," Wichita replied. He nodded then gave Columbus another good look over.

"You know… you look very familiar, have we met before?" McCray asked.

"I don't think so," Columbus replied.

"Uh-huh," the Colonel seemed unconvinced as he gave Columbus one last lingering look before moving on with business. "Well, lets not stand outside all day. We can get you settled in some bunks, and save the questions for dinner tonight?" McCray suggested.

"Thank you sir," Columbus nodded.

**

Chicago and Tallahassee were somewhere changing their clothes and drying out, while Phoenix stayed with Kerch and Shaffer. The three of them were watching the soldiers bag up bodies and the shoreline off somewhat. Anarchy had retreated rather fast after the carrier exploded. Some survivors had struggled their way back to the shoreline, but for the most part who ever was inside burnt up.

He sighed watching the death toll rack up. Each body was frisked and picked clean of anything useful. A box full of grenades showed up on the hood of a jeep and without anything more constructive to do Phoenix volunteered to take the goods back to a storeroom.

He pulled up in front of the building and got out carrying the box with him. Shaffer had given him the key, and when he found the lock open, Phoenix went on alert. Putting the box down he drew his pistol and pushed the door open.

Cautiously, like he'd been trained, he led with his gun, swinging it around in front of himself as he went around corners. The bodies of the guards became visible on the floor. "Anyone there?" he called. There was no answer, but when he inched around the last corner he saw her standing.

Summer had been caught with her hands in the cookie jar so to speak, but the cookies she was stealing were very explosive. She looked at Phoenix sharply. "Hi," she said simply.

"Summer… what are you doing here? How did you get here?" he asked.

"I came by boat, I'm here for these," she replied as she kept picking up the grenades.

"Put them down," he said raising his gun. She didn't look up.

"You didn't shoot me last time, you won't shoot me now," she said.

"You wanna make a bet?" he asked.

"Not really. I want to do my job and go home," she sighed. He lowered his gun, took a few swift steps forward and caught her wrist jerking and making her look at him. She hit him low making him release her.

Phoenix grabbed her waist and twisted trying to wrestle her to the floor. She hit him repeatedly, but since neither of them truly wanted to hurt the other the fight was a bit of a moot point. They grabbled with each other for a few moments until she shoved him back and moved to punch him, but he caught her wrist. She swung with the other and he caught it as well.

"Summer, please," he said softly. In those two words there was more meaning than could have existed in an entire novel and after them there was nothing more that needed said.

"I'm not-" she started to speak but he pressed his lips against hers. She wrapped her arms around him. The kiss broke and she hugged him. His arms went around her waist and she closed her eyes holding onto him. "I'm not sorry," she whispered.

"I know you're not… I still love you," he whispered.

"I'm not what you need," she replied.

"I know, but I still want you," he said kissing her cheek.

"How touching," Maximus's voice was cold and rough from the doorway. Phoenix turned around. The behemoth had a gun in his hand, but he was casually leaning against the doorframe. "That box of grenades outside is nice, just what I needed," he said.

"The deals off Maximus," Summer growled.

"Oh, Summer, Summer, Summer," he smiled shaking his head, "there never was a deal. You're playing the same game that I am and we both know the rules. We're smart and we're ruthless. Smart enough to see through the Matriarch's 'God did this' bullshit, which is exactly that, bullshit, and ruthless enough to profit from it," he said.

"Well, I'm done playing," she snarled.

"You can't just stop in the middle of the game though… you and I both know that she's gonna want blood when we come back without this city," he said.

"But I'm no going back," Summer said evenly.

"Exactly. She'll want someone's head and baby, it isn't going to be me who takes the blame," he said. "You know… last night, when we were fucking, I knew your heart wasn't in it, but I didn't think you'd gone this soft," he added. Summer cringed and Phoenix felt a surge of anger. "I'll shoot your boyfriend first," he said and aimed the gun at Phoenix.

Summer grabbed the gun out of Phoenix's belt, but just wasn't fast enough. Maximus swung the gun around and shot her. "No!" Phoenix roared. Summer dropped the gun and crumpled to one knee. She drew in a shuddering breath clutching the wound in the middle of her stomach. Blood drenched her hand as she looked at it, shocked.

Maximus shot her again in the shoulder sending her to the floor. Phoenix had her in his arms in the blink of an eye. He looked up glaring at Maximus. "Such a shame…" he shrugged before turning and leaving.

Phoenix tried to comfort Summer, looking at her wounds. She drew in a breath shaking from shock already. "You're okay, you're okay, it's going to be alright," he said as he frantically tried to stop the bleeding.

"Phoenix," she choked out his name grabbing his arm.

"Don't talk," he said.

"You have to stop him," she rasped pulling herself up a little. "He's gonna blow the tanks," she said exhibiting tremendous strength.

"What?" Phoenix exclaimed.

"He's going to blow the fuel tanks… we said if we couldn't take the city we'd burn it," she breathed fast.

"Shit," he hissed. "Okay, come on, we gotta go," he said.

"I can't move… Go get him," she said getting weaker by the moment. Phoenix made a split second decision. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her outside.

More trucks were pulling up with supplies and Chicago and Tallahassee were present. Phoenix ran up and gave Summer to Tal. "Here take her!" he said. Tallahassee really didn't have a choice. "Chicago come on! Tallahassee don't you dare leave her alone!" He shouted as he sprinted of. Chicago shrugged and gave chase.

Phoenix was running as hard as he could. The fuel tanks were near the rations tents and as he arrived he whipped out his gun and ran up. "Freeze!" he shouted. Maximus casually leaned against one of the tanks.

"Now a smart man would have shot already," he said turning around in his normal lazy manner.

"Yeah, well I'm a cop, I always offer a chance at redemption," Phoenix said.

" Redemption?" Maximus snorted. "I don't want redemption though. I'm perfectly happy where I'm at thank you," Maximus smiled. "You know, I wish you'd grow a pair and man up," he laughed

"Wish granted," Phoenix replied with equal cheer before he squeezed the trigger. Maximus stagger back holding his side, but kept his cocky smile.

"I didn't think you'd actually do it," he laughed.

"Wanna see it again?" Phoenix asked then squeezed the trigger and sent a slug into Maximus's leg. The larger man crumpled. Phoenix came closer and aimed the gun at his head. "What a shame," he mocked.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Maximus said keeping a sly smile.

"Why shouldn't I?" Phoenix asked. Chicago arrived panting from the run.

"Because if I don't walk out of here in five minutes my boys are going to blow this place anyway. Those grenades are full of remote detonation pins. My own design. They were told to wait until I clear, but if I don't come out, well," Maximus gave a little pained shrug. Chicago looked at the grenades strapped to the tank. Phoenix contemplated his options.

"Take those things with you and you can leave," he said. Maximus sighed. He reached up and grabbed the grenades stuffing it down in his coat. "Now get the fuck out of here," Phoenix growled.

Maximus started to limp away, but he paused. "If you get to see Summer again before she bleeds out… tell her she picked the losing side," he said. "But I respect her even though she went soft," he added.

"I'm sure that will mean a lot," Phoenix growled. "Chicago escort him out will you?" Phoenix asked. She nodded and followed Maximus with her gun pointed at him. Phoenix turned tail and ran.

When he got back in the hustle and bustle of the soldiers Fynn grabbed his arm. "Zander took Tallahassee and the girl to the infirmary," he said.

"Where?" Phoenix asked looking frantic.

"Davis!" Fynn snapped and a soldier fell in. "Take him to the infirmary."

 

Well here it is Curtis XD

Chapter 107- You Get what You Pay For​

Chicago walked Maximus to the docks and found his men waiting. Faster than the link of an eye she was the target of every gun they had. Maximus lazily put his hands up as he limped along. "Put 'em away," he said.

"But-" one of his men started to argue.

"Marcus shoot him!" Maximus snapped. One of the other men promptly turned and shot the offender who fell backwards into the water. "The rest of you put your guns the fuck away! We're finished here," Maximus sighed sounding as if he was worn out. The guns were lowered and Chicago's heart started to regain a normal pace. Maximus limped out and got on the boat.

"That was… unexpected," she said looking for an appropriate comment.

"I know when I'm beat," he shrugged.

"Then you better get out of here," she replied. He gave one last lingering look around as if he was eyeing a lost trophy.

"Chicago… remember you get what you pay for in the way of friends," he said as the boat was loosed and it floated away from the dock. She cocked her head. "You tell Summer if she lives… I wish her all the luck in heaven and hell… but the matriarch is going to want her… and all of you… and even if it kills me, I'll catch you one by one… you can be sure of that," he gave a grim smile.

"Should I shoot you now?" Chicago asked raising her voice as they started to motor.

"I think twice is enough for today," he replied and sat down. "Besides… why ruin the fun so early?" he reached over and shut the engine down again.

"Tell your matriarch… if she fucks with my family, Summer included, I'll be the one coming after her," Chicago growled.

"I'll pass it on," he smiled then winked and turned the engine on again. The boat was out of sight in a few moments and Chicago sighed.

**

Most of the military base was underground. Above the surface it looked like a collection of small huts, but once inside and down the stairs it was a vast collection of tunnels and rooms.

The bunkrooms were small, but did fit four people each. The girls shacked up in one room and the two boys took the other. Little Rock had promptly curled up in one and refused and company. Wichita understood the grief and left her sister alone for the time being. Nana sat up on a top bunk and persisted to hold Phoenix's badge, running her tiny little fingers over it again and again. Kim had disappeared promptly after throwing her backpack on the bed.

She had explored most of the unrestricted tunnels and eventually found her way back above ground. Tiny flecks of snow were drifting through the air like icy feathers and littering the ground as she walked. Her thoughts were firmly fixed on Fynn. Every fiber of her being was focused on the hope that he had somehow survived.

They had met each other at the club, back before the outbreak. Neither of them were very serious about the relationship, and when he was shipped off they'd thought they would never see each other again. Three months later he was back, and she had never been happier. Despite the world ending her life was not far from perfect in the shelter of the governmental outpost. He was her guy that never grew up and never took anything too serious, how he passed in the army she would never understand.

"Kim?" Denver asked. His voice made her jump as she rattled out of her thoughts.

"What do you want?" she snapped.

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay," he replied seeming hurt.

"No I'm not," she replied as if it should be obvious. "All of my friends are back there, probably dead right now," she hissed.

"You know, mine are too," he replied deciding not to take her attitude lying down.

"Yeah, but you still have your stupid group here too! Everything I have and love is back in that city!" she snapped raising her voice.

"Oh yes, god forbid zombies get in the strip club," he muttered.

"Before you showed up I'd never even seen one of those things in the flesh!" she barked.

"If it weren't for us you would have gotten to see them a lot closer up!" he replied.

"I'd be better off dead than stuck here with you!" she shouted. Her voice echoed through the trees and Denver realized it needed to stop. He held up his hands.

"Fine, you know what? Pretend I never said anything. Just forget it," he said before leaving Kim to stew alone.

**

Phoenix ran through the door passing doctors and carts and curtain waiting rooms where people lay dying. The only color other than white in the sterile hell was blood red smeared here and there. "Summer!" he shouted. Tallahassee looked up from where he had been examining his boots. He put his hat back on his head and stood, catching Phoenix as he tried to rush past.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," he said holding back the frantic man.

"Where is she?" he snapped.

"They took her back to operate," Tallahassee said. Phoenix calmed slightly and Tallahassee released him. "They said to sit and wait here," Tallahassee added. Phoenix practically deflated.

"Alright," he sighed and sat down.

"Where's Chicago?" Tal asked.

"She's making sure Maximus leaves… she'll be back in a few," Phoenix replied as he ran his hands through his hair. Tallahassee shifted on his feet.

"Well uh- I'm gonna go make sure things are okay outside. I'll grab something to eat and bring it back for you okay?" he sighed.

"Sure, do whatever you gotta do," Phoenix replied. Tallahassee was amazed at how old the man in front of him looked.

"I'm sure she'll pull through brother," he said patting Phoenix on the shoulder. He could only fake a smile and give a slight nod before the cowboy left.

**

Dinner was rather awkward. Two armed soldiers were standing behind McCray's shoulders watching like hawks ready for the kill. No one spoke. Little Rock refused to eat, Nana nervously devoured everything, Denver and the other adults ate slowly with great purpose.

A man in camo poured wine as the silence persisted. Columbus was unsure why the Colonel would let this happen. Wichita was the one to attempt to salvage the situation and cleared her throat. "So," she drew the word out as she had nothing to follow it.

"Would you be more comfortable if we got rid of the guards?" McCray asked. "I've had guns pointed at me for so long I forget the affect it has on people sometimes," he joked. "Why don't you two get some rest?" he added looking over his shoulder. Both the men saluted and marched out. "Ah- better," McCray nodded before dabbing his mouth with a napkin.

"You seem to have a very relaxed approach to your leadership," Wichita grinned being as charming as ever. Knowing if she got in good with the ones in charge things would be easier down the road.

"Well, if you work them too hard too early in a fight, you doom yourself." He smiled. "Besides I know each of them like a son, things don't need to be so up tight," he added.

"Never heard that one before," Denver replied.

"Well, the stranglehold of Uncle Sam is considerably looser right now. We can afford it," McCray said. "So you're a military man?"

"Yes, for a few years," Denver nodded.

"Why'd you give it up?" the Colonel asked.

"A girl," Denver sighed.

"Ah- now I have heard that one before," McCray smirked.

"Hmmmm, a poor choice in hindsight really," Denver added coldly before glancing up at Kim, who's eyes were firmly locked on the plate in front of her. Whether or not she was listening to him he wasn't sure.

"Nothing for it now are you?" McCray shrugged.

"I suppose not," Denver looked away from Kim.

"Have we heard anything from the other camp?" Kim asked suddenly lifting her head. McCray cocked his head a bit.

"Not yet, but when we do I'll let you all know right away," he said.

"Thank you," she said before returning to her staring match with some carrot slices. McCray was silent for a moment before looking back at Columbus. The younger man was starting to flush under the gaze.

"That's it!" the Colonel exclaimed.

"What?" Columbus's voice cracked.

"You're Marks boy! Hahaha! I remember now, man have you grown," McCray laughed.

"You knew my father?" Columbus cocked his head.

"Yeah, I remember when you were born," McCray beamed. "Mark is a good friend, how is he?"

"Dead," Columbus replied trying to remain steely. McCray's grin faded.

"That's too bad… a Zombie?" he asked. Columbus nodded. "Hmmm… well, we can't all be so fortunate to survive," the Colonel sighed. Kim stood.

"Excuse me," she muttered before leaving. She looked ill and Denver wanted to follow her, but restrained himself.

McCray was about to question the disturbance when a soldier came up and whispered something into his ear. McCray looked serious. "Excuse me, please finish your meals," he said before tossing his napkin onto the table and leaving with the soldier.

Little Rock grabbed the wine glass away from her sister and took a sip. Wichita wanted to wrestle it away, but simply let it go. "Should someone go check on Jersey?" Columbus asked.

"Let her go, she wants to brood," Denver muttered.

**

Chicago had waited for a long time at the dock, suspicious that Maximus might try to come back, but he had not and she finally felt safe enough to leave. Upon arriving at the hub of excitement she located Tallahassee.

"Hey, how is she?" she asked.

"Under the knife for now," Tallahassee replied. "You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine," she sighed running a hand through her hair. In truth she was just overwhelmed and tired and scared. A few months back she never would have thought she'd be handling explosives and guns and killing people. She never thought she would be through deaths doorstep and doing shots with him.

"Maximus?" he asked.

"Taken care of… but I think we're going to have trouble with the matriarch," Chicago sighed. He removed his hat.

"One step at a time… and if I hadn't picked the goddamn kid up… I wouldn't be in this mess," he growled. She smiled and leaned in kissing him on the cheek.

"You'd be bored out of your mind without all this excitement," she winked. He rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to go grab some food, and get back to Phoenix. He isn't looking to good," he sighed. She nodded.

"I'm going to go get a hold of Kerch or Fynn, I'll see if I can get in contact with the others and make sure they are okay," she said. He nodded.

"Just watch your ass, zombies are still liable to pop up," he said.

"I know," her face was grave.

**

"Good news gang, we have word from Jersey," McCray said as he entered the small sitting room that everyone was gathered in. Kim sprang up from where she had been limply sitting for the last hour.

"Are they okay?" she asked.

"Minimal casualties were suffered and the city is in tact," he replied.

"And our people?" Denver asked anxiously.

"It was someone named Chicago that delivered the news. She said all is well and she said to tell you to stay put until they figure out what the plan is. She also told me to tell Little Rock that Tallahassee is alive," he added.

"What?" Little Rock exclaimed grinning.

"How is the chain of command over there? Are they going to be able to keep control?" Columbus asked.

"There was only one officer wounded," McCray replied.

"Which one?" Kim sounded a little more interested than she wanted.

"I didn't get a name," McCray replied. She slumped back into her seat.

"Thank you Colonel," Wichita said.

"My pleasure," he replied. "If you need anything tonight Private Kimler will take care of you," he added. "I'll see you all tomorrow."

"Goodnight," Wichita nodded.

**

Phoenix sighed as he paced back and forth. It had been a few hours and things had quieted down. All the wounded had either died or been taken care of leaving the infirmary in an eerie calm.

They had brought Summer out half an hour before, but taken her straight back to a private room per Kerch's instruction and hadn't allowed him to see her. He was getting more and more nervous by the second. Tallahassee was snoring in the seat next to Chicago while she scribbled in her notebook.

"Phoenix," she whispered finally. He paused. "You should sit down, and rest," she said gently. He sighed and put both hands on the back of his head.

"Why do I love her Chicago?" he asked before sitting down. "I spent my whole life chasing down people like her… and hating them… and now…" he shook his head.

"Love is blind," she replied taking his hand. "We don't have very much left now… we can't have houses… or careers, or all the other things that made life heavy to start with… all we can count on keeping is each other," she said. He nodded slightly.

"If she doesn't make it… I want to go after them," he said softly.

"We can't go after Anarchy… you know that," she sighed.

"I should have killed him," he sighed.

"You didn't have a choice… you had to negotiate… who knows maybe he'll bleed out," she shrugged. Phoenix bit his lip.

"So what now? What about the others?" he asked.

"Fynn said he would take us up to the other base to get them," she sighed. He drew in a long breath.

"I can't leave her alone… but I want to get Nana," he said sounding like he was on the brink of tears.

"I'll go get her," Chicago said soothingly.

"You shouldn't have to. She's my responsibility," he said.

"We're family, you can trust me and I don't mind. Stay here with Summer and Tallahassee, I'll go get the others with Fynn and we'll come back…. It'll be okay," she said keeping her voice low in the still of the infirmary. He nodded slowly.

"When this all started… did you ever think it would go down like this?" he asked.

"No… I never knew I would have it so good… I didn't think I would find anyone I'd die for," she replied.

"Me either," he sighed. They went silent, her hand in his. Her soft touch gave him some comfort and eased his grief, but his stomach was still tossing. Phoenix sighed and closed his eyes. The comfort of someone having his back was good enough for him.

 

Chapter 108- Say The Words​

Tallahassee and Chicago were both sleeping when a doctor in a lab coat approached Phoenix. He stood up immediately. "She gonna make it?" he asked instantly. The Doctor sighed in a manner that made Phoenix very nervous.

"It's hard to tell for right now. She's resting comfortably and is stable," he said.

"Can I see her?" Phoenix asked. The doctor nodded. Trying to restrain himself from sprinting Phoenix made his way back. He drew the curtains as he stepped into the little 'room.'

Summer looked bad. She was on oxygen and some ancient looking heart monitors were beeping away, informed by the little pads stuck on her skin. Phoenix drew near the bed hesitantly. Running his fingers over her arm he slipped his hand around hers.

"Summer… why in gods name do you persist to fuck me over?" he sighed kneeling beside the bed.

***

Chicago woke up and slipped out from under Tallahassee's grasp. She yawned and stretched before looking around for Phoenix. He was nowhere to be seen so she moved over towards a nurse. "Have you seen the other guy I was with?" she asked.

"Down the hall," the girl said. Chicago nodded and yawned again.

"Thank you," she replied before shoving her hands in her pockets and wondering down the hall. She arrived at the room and stopped when she saw them inside. Phoenix was curled up on the floor next to the bed. He was out like a light and she sighed.

A hand came down on her shoulder and she looked back. Tallahassee had dark spots under his eyes. "Fynn just called," he whispered. Chicago took another deep breath. Tallahassee looked into the curtain room at their friends. "Now isn't that pathetic," he murmured. Chicago put her hand on his where it was still resting in her shoulder.

"I know you'd be on the floor if that was me in the bed," she said.

"You're mistaken," he whispered. She smiled as he bent down and nuzzled his nose against her neck. "I'd be on the bed," he said. She bit her lip to suppress a laugh. "Come on, we'll leave a note for him," Tallahassee sighed getting back to business.

"You're not coming," she said softly still wearing a smile.

"Excuse me?" he cocked his head.

"I want you to stay here with Phoenix," she sighed as she turned to him.

"But I- when did we decide this?" he started to argue. She placed a finger over his lips.

"Shhh, stay here, please," she gave him her best puppy eyes. "He shouldn't be alone, just in case," she added. Tallahassee sighed, breaking under her eyes.

"I don't want you going alone," he sighed.

"I won't be alone, Fynn will be with me," she smiled.

"And I really don't want you being alone with Fynn," he said with wide eyes. She grinned and put her hands on his cheek.

"I love you," she smiled.

"I love you too," he replied. She kissed him tenderly.

"I'll see you in a few days," she said as she hugged him and then started to walk.

"I'm gonna be calling and checking up on you," he said putting his thumbs in his pockets. She turned back and winked.

"You better."

**

"Will?" Wichita poked her head into the bunkroom. Columbus looked up.

"Hmm?"

"Chicago and Fynn are on their way. We just got the call," she said leaning against the door frame. He nodded seeming distracted. She stepped into the room. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I'm worried that we can't hold this together," he sighed. Her brow furrowed.

"What?" she cocked her head.

"We're relying on a group of people who are all pulling in different directions… and since necessity isn't what's holding it all together… I wonder how long we have," he sighed. Wichita sat down beside him.

"I think you're worrying too much… and even if something does happen… I am never going to leave you," she smiled. He cocked his head.

"Why?" he sighed.

"I love you," she whispered. He shook his head.

"Wouldn't you rather have someone that can protect you?" he asked. She shifted up onto his lap.

"But you do… your knees still shake when you do it… but baby when your back is against the wall… you pull through… I never trusted anyone before…not for real… so just trust in my judgment," she looped her arms around his neck. He smiled as she rested her forehead against his. "And if nothing else follow the most important rule of all," she grinned. He laughed. "Come on, say it," she bit her lip.

"Always listen to your girlfriend," he laughed.

"That's my man," she said before kissing him.

**

Phoenix woke up stiff. The tiling on the floor had left imprints on his face and hands. He rubbed furiously as he sat up. The monitors around him were still rhythmically beeping and he stood up stretching his back.

Looking at the watch on his wrist he decided he needed to go see what was happening in the world. "I'll be right back baby," he whispered and he bent over and kissed her forehead.

"Where are you going?" her voice was so soft he wasn't sure he head heard it at first. Phoenix whirled around and saw her eyes were open and fixed on him. Swift and smooth as water her was at her side, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Hey," he said putting a hand lightly on his cheek.

"I guess you stopped it," she said. Her eyelids drooped as though she could barely stand to keep them open.

"Thanks to you," he replied. She took a breath. The little oxygen tubes in Summer's nose made Phoenix cringe.

"Did you kill him?" she asked.

"No I had to let him walk… but I'm going to hunt him down… as soon as you're better," Phoenix said as he took her hand. She was too weak to resist.

"You should stay away… Every single Anarchy member will want you now…" she sighed.

"That's all right… we can outrun them," he said. She gave a weak smile.

"Always a fucking optimist," she rasped.

"Summer… don't say that," Phoenix could feel his throat clinching up.

"I took a bullet for you… don't throw it away," she said.

"Summer… I-" he began.

"Don't!" she tried to shout but it came out as a whisper. "Don't say it," she repeated. Phoenix looked her right in the eye then leaned up so his face was only inches from hers.

"I love you," he whispered. She closed her eyes. "I love you and I know you love me…. If you didn't you would have let him shot me… or done it yourself, one of the two," he attempted to joke. She opened her eyes again and reached up touching his face. "Say it," he whispered. She looked like she was going to cry. "Baby… I need to hear you say it," he could feel himself breathing the same air as her.

"This was no stings attached," she smiled weakly.

"Well… let's just try it… just for a second okay," he smiled. She waited looking over the face of the only man to ever truly make her feel remarkable.

"I love you," her words barely constituted sound yet they seemed to echo for both of them to hear. Phoenix closed the tiny gap and kissed.

"I love you," he repeated. He gave her some space and smiled again, that cocky smile that melted her icy heart. "And you know… since we're on opposite sides of everything we complete each other," he joked.

"Don't go looking for Maximus," she breathed. He sighed. "I don't want to die… not now," she continued. He was once again very near her.

"Baby, baby, it's going to be okay… I'm gonna take care of you. You'll be all right. I promise," he reassured her and wiped away a tear.

"Don't leave," she begged.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Just try to sleep, okay? Get some rest you'll be fine," he whispered petting her hair with his free hand. Summer drifted off listening to his voice.

 

Credit goes to one of my friends.

Chapter 109: Sucker Punch​

Chicago leaned her head against the glass of the window. Forest had been flying by forever. They were taking the back roads to avoid the zombies and piled up cars. The world was silent save for the engine of the car.

Fynn seemed mechanical as he drove. It was as if he was shut down. Chicago couldn't take silence any longer and sighed. "So you and Kim… are involved?" she asked. He snapped awake and looked at her. He was a soldier that could kill on command, but he looked afraid.

"What?" he exclaimed.

"I saw the way she looked at you," Chicago shrugged.

"And you just assume we're sleeping together?" he asked defensively.

"Involved has a lot of meanings… and you just tipped your hand," Chicago smirked. "You seem like you would have had some girlfriends… why are you afraid of me knowing?" she chuckled.

"Because Kim is the only chick that has an army of killers backing her up," he sighed. CHiago burst into laughter.

"You think I'd go to bat for her?" she laughed. Fynn cocked his head. "I'm loyal to her father… and the bitch is not very good to him considering what we went through because of her… so you can have her and do what you will," she spat.

"Oh- uh… she's not that bad… she just is a little cold at first… she has to be," he shrugged.

"But when someone sacrifices for you, the least you can do is be kind in return," Chicago replied. He nodded.

"So how much trouble am I in?" he joked.

"Knowing Denver… when he finds out, you better watch your ass… or kiss it goodbye," she grinned.

"Kim never told me about him," Fynn said.

"They're not the closest," Chicago remarked.

"Ha, no kidding," Fynn shook his head. "I know what you're thinking though," he sighed.

"What am I thinking?" she rolled her eyes. He looked at her for a moment as though it was obvious.

"The age difference I mean," he sighed. Chicago shook her head.

"Frankly I don't care… It's going to cause problems and that's the only reason I would give it half a thought," she replied.

"I thought you don't like Kim?" he asked.

"I don't… I love Denver… and he loves her. He has to… It's a trickle down thing… I'm just trying to keep things together… and everyday it gets more complicated," she said fiddling with the seatbelt across her lap.

"They say crisis brings people together," he suggested.

"Yeah… but when you live in crisis everyday… I think it'll lose that effect… I have two children under the age of sixteen, a couple of lovebirds, an injured criminal and a love struck cop, a cowboy, a father and now his daughter… the terrible thing is, we came from all walks of life… it's like getting on an airplane. For a few hours everyone has something in common… but a plane has to land before you want to kill the person next to you… or the screaming baby in the back… if you stay in the air too long… you run out of fuel," she said examining her ring.

"Well that was poetic," he commented. Chicago glared at him for missing the point.

"Well I'm the writer of the group," she shrugged.

"So then why are you the one that has to hold it all together?" he asked.

"I don't... but I want to. They're all I have. My boyfriend is dead, my family is dead, all my friends are dead… I can't do it on my own," she sighed.

"You know… it sounds like the army… we come from all walks too… and we all find a way to make shit work out… because we know we're dead if we don't," he said.

**

Tallahassee bolted back as all hell broke loose. Nurses and a doctor were working on Summer. Phoenix was frantically shouting questions. Finally a nurse turned on him and pushed him away. "Sir you need to wait outside!" she ordered.

"No tell me what the fuck is going on!" he demanded. Tallahassee quickly intervened, grabbing the Columbian he pulled him away.

"Come on! Come on lets go!" he grunted as Phoenix struggled. The cowboy managed to pull him out of the room and force him up against the wall. "Hey!! Just calm down!" he shouted. Phoenix stopped as he panted. Tallahassee let go and Phoenix started to pace the floor.

Five minutes later the doctor came out. "How is she?" Phoenix barked.

"She's stable… but she slipped into a coma," he said. Phoenix shouted as he threw a chair across the room.

"What happened? What's wrong with her?" he demanded.

"We're not sure," the doctor shrugged. Phoenix froze going cold.

"Excuse me?" he snapped.

"We're not sure why she had the episode," the doctor repeated. Phoenix lunged and grabbed the man pinning him against the wall.

"You don't know? You don't know? Don't you dare fucking tell me you don't know!" he shouted. The doctor had gone pale and Tallahassee jumped to pull his friend off.

"Sir please other patients are resting!" the doctor managed to snap when Tal has a firm hold on Phoenix.

"Is there a problem here?" Kerch's voice was strong from the doorway. Everyone turned to see him with his arm in a sling.

"No sir," the doctor replied. Phoenix growled in frustration and stormed away. Tallahassee took a deep breath before pulling out his phone.

**

"Hello?" Chicago answered.

"Summer's in a coma," he sighed.

"What?" She snapped.

"Summer's in a coma and Phoenix was about to kill the doctor," he repeated.

"Are you okay now?" she asked.

"A total meltdown of all rational thought does not constitute okay," he spat the last word.

"Can you get things calmed back down?" she replied annoyed.

"Maybe… but I think he just went bye bye," Tallahassee shook his head.

"Do your best. We're almost to the other camp. I'll grab the kids and be back as fast as I can," she said.

"M'k. Love you, miss you, want you," he said.

"Love you too," she replied before shutting the phone. "Shit!" she snapped punching the dash.

"What?" Fynn asked.

"Summer went into a coma," she replied brushing her hair back. Fynn didn't reply. "So not only will Phoenix be out of it, but we have no insight to the beasty Anarchy," she sighed leaning her head back.

"Are you planning on staying in the city?" he asked.

"Hadn't given it much thought yet," she shook her head and tossed the phone onto the dash. He said nothing for a long while.

"If you do… they'll come looking for you," he said. Chicago looked at him. "We owe you… so if you want out protection, you got it," he added, but it was less than convincing.

"Can't take you up on that," she shook her head.

**

"Kim!" Denver beat on the door. "Kim!" he repeated just before she jerked the door open.

"What?" she shouted.

"Get your things a jeep is on the way," he said.

"Why aren't we taking the chopper?" she pouted.

"Because they can't waste the fuel, now get ready or we'll leave you," he said.

"What's the point?" she crossed her arms.

"I thought you said everything you own and love is back there?" he replied evenly.

"Doesn't matter now," she spat.

"Get ready. It's not open for discussion," he said. She started to slam the door in his face but he held it open and took her arm in his other hand. "God knows I love you Kim! But it's time for you to start acting your age. I know you hate me and I'll accept that, but when I'm trying to keep you alive, how about you just pretend I'm a kind stranger," he said keeping his naturally low and calm voice, though there was an edge of danger.

"You are a stranger," she snarled. He let go of her and she closed the door more gently.

**

They were assembled when the car pulled in. A civilian truck had been made ready and McCray was personally seeing the departure through. The engine shut off and Fynn got out along with Chicago.

"Fynn!" Kim squealed. She flung her arms around him and without a care for Denver standing right in front of her kissed Fynn passionately. Chicago's eyes immediately flew to Denver, whose jaw was on the ground.

After the kiss broke McCray stepped forward and both he and Fynn saluted. Chicago greeted the rest of the flock keeping an eye on Denver who has started to load the car with his small bag.

Kim couldn't help herself and walked around tossing her backpack beside his. "What was that?" he asked feeling his stomach in knots.

"What was what?" she replied innocently.

"Why was your tongue halfway down his throat?" Denver asked. She closed the trunk and gave him a glare.

"Fynn's my boyfriend," she replied crossing her arms. Denver shook his head slightly trying to think more clearly.

"He's old enough to be your father… I mean umm," he tried to re-think what he had just said. Fynn probably wasn't quite as old as Denver, but way too damn close. "He's-"

"He's been very good to me," she snapped in a hushed tone so the others couldn't hear. "I swear to god if you so much as look at him the wrong way I'll never speak to you again.

"Well that would probably be more pleasant than hearing you say 'I'm in love with someone twice my age.' How do you think I'm supposed to respond?" he whispered back.

"You're supposed to respect my choice if you want to be my father, but I'd prefer you'd take it like a stranger would. Just wish me well and ignore it!" she glared at him.

"Well regardless of what you like I am your father," he argued. "It's a little unsettling that you're a dancer, and now this," he sighed rubbing his temples. She rolled her eyes.

"Just leave it alone okay," she said. Denver took his turn rolling his eyes. "Denver!" she hissed.

"Yeah, yeah, I promise I won't say a word," he growled. She gave him one last cold glare before walking away and getting in the car.

Fynn and McCray had been talking while Chicago informed the others of the situation. When Fynn heard the door close he turned and sighed. "Chicago you take the truck, I'll take the car," he said. She nodded. Denver approached in a very calm and relaxed fashion. Fynn seemed like her was on alert, but turned and smiled.

"Hey, uh- I think we may have just started out on the wrong foot and I thi-" Fynn didn't have time to say anymore before Denver sucker punched him. Fynn was on the ground; Chicago and Kim were out of the cars.

"Columbus you ride with Nana and Kim. Chicago and I will take the others," Denver said seeming to be completely normal as he walked towards the truck. Chicago was rooted in place while Kim had rushed to Fynns side.

"Denver!" she snapped. Her father didn't look back.

"Get in the car," he said to Wichita and Little Rock. They obeyed and he passed by Chicago.

"Denver," she sighed.

"Get in the car," he snapped in a hushed voice. She rolled her eyes and got in the car.

"See you back in Jersey," she said to Columbus as she sat down. He waved nervously. Fynn was getting to his feet's holding a bleeding nose. Chicago made the truck kick up dust as they tore out of the camp.

"Well… That was different," McCray said clearing his throat.

"Could have been worse…. Like that time in Sudan," Fynn commented wiping the blood away. "Because I was messing with all three of his daughters," he shrugged. McCray rolled his eyes.

"Always good to see you Shaffer," he smirked. "Safe travels," he added then turned and left.

"Well…" Columbus drew out the word as he held Nana's hand. "Guess we better get going," he said.

 

Credit goes to one of my friends.

Chapter 110: Baton Rouge ​

Chicago kept sighing over and over again until finally Denver cracked. "I know what you're thinking," he said finally.

"How many people are going to read my mind today?" she sighed.

"I'm sorry," he sighed.

"Well you don't have to be. My dad was a little temperamental too," she shrugged.

"He did punch the man though," Little Rock murmured from the back seat.

"We'll be lucky if they let you back inside the gates," Wichita added.

"I'm not nearly as worried about Shaffer as I am about Kim… she'll be the one to put a bullet in me," he sighed.

"I think we're all just overacting. Everyone's tired and stressed… we'll get back in Jersey and spend a few days sitting around, cool off," Chicago said. "We just need to relax for a while," she added.

"Whoa," Little Rock said as she looked out the back window. Chicago looked the mirror. The other car was gaining fast.

"They gotta be goin' 90," she guessed.

"Columbus is probably having a panic attack," Wichita added.

"Too fast… too fast," Denver mumbled as he watched the car catch up. It sped past and he sighed. "They'll kill themselves like that."

"You sound like my driving instructor," Chicago chuckled as she hit the gas. "He flunked anyone who went above fifty," she added as the speedometer climbed.

"Yeah well. When you don't know what's around the corner you should take it slow," he said.

"You drive like you live your life kids, and this is where Denver and I differ," Chicago said glancing back in the mirror at Wichita and Little Rock. "I like fast hard and good looking, the kind that makes you leap before you look and call the shots before you have time to second guess yourself," she sighed as the speedometer held steady at 65.

"And I'm the old man who used to be getting drug behind the bus… I prefer a slower pace, for the long haul," he replied.

"What's the point of getting old if you don't have fun on the way?" Little Rock asked.

"You can have fun though… you can't go so stupid you muck things up for later," he replied.

"You're telling us not to go stupid?" Wichita asked.

"Do as I say not as I do," he glanced back at her.

"Son of a! Shit!" Chicago hissed.

"What?" the others collectively asked.

"Check engine light is on," she snapped slowing the car down.

"I told you it was too fast," he muttered. She rolled her eyes and stopped the car completely turning off the engine. Chicago got out and was joined in opening the hood by Denver.

"I don't know shit about cars," she said as steam rolled out.

"The left peddle makes it slow down," he muttered.

"Hey! I know you're in a bad mood right now but don't take it out on me," she growled.

"Lets just nurse it into the next town… too many zombies to deal with it here," he sighed rubbing his hands over his face as he went back to the passenger side. She slammed the hood shut and returned to the driver side. After a long annoyed sigh she turned the key.

The engine sputtered to life then a loud pop signaled more smoke. "Goddamn it!" Chicago snapped. "Are you fucking with me? Are you seriously fucking telling me they gave us a shit truck?" she shouted.

"Calm down, just call the others and they can come back with another car," Wichita sighed sounding annoyed. Chicago moved for her phone then punched the steering wheel.

"We have to use yours mines on the dash of the other car," she sighed.

"Ours are dead, we didn't have the chargers," Little Rock frowned.

"Son of a- so now what?" Chicago punched the wheel again.

"We grab our things and hoof it," Denver said calmly.

"Fuck," Chicago ground her teeth.

"Come on, lets go," he said. The girls got out of the car and they all loaded up. Chicago looked around at the extremely unfriendly looking forest.

"They will have heard us by now," Wichita said.

"We should go back," Little Rock suggested.

"Can't go back. We'd never make it that far," Chicago said.

"How far to the next town?" Wichita asked.

"I'm not sure," Chicago shrugged starting to walk. "But when the others don't see us they'll come back," she said. Denver picked up and started after her. The two younger girls followed. All of them had their guns in hand, locked loaded and ready to go.

**

Phoenix had worked really hard to go unnoticed, and it had paid off. The truck was loaded, he was ready and no one was the wiser. Tallahassee had been easier to take care of than he thought. He'd asked the man for some alone time and the cowboy had nervously agreed.

Phoenix was just about to get in the truck when Tallahassee's voice came. "What are you doing?" he asked. Phoenix spun on his heels.

"I'm uh-" he didn't have a lie ready.

"Get away from the car," Tallahassee sighed. Phoenix stepped back without a fight. Tallahassee came forward and peeked into the truck bed. He pulled back the tarp and whistled at the ammunition. "Whoa," he murmured.

"Sorry man," Phoenix said before whipping his gun against the back of Tallahassee's head. Tal went down like a ton of bricks. Phoenix glanced around. It wasn't exactly low key, but no one seemed to care as he drug Tallahassee over and propped him up against a wall. Slapping a note into the cowboy's hand he went back to the truck and turned the key.

**

Chicago jerked around when she heard the sound of zombies coming down the road. She could hear them just around the bend. "Into the trees," Denver whispered. All of them dashed off the road and into the trees. They slid down the incline and hid in some bushes.

Sure enough the zombies came trotting down the road. The sounds they made were horrendous and it seemed just as natural to them as breathing was to humans. Wichita and Little Rock were like clones of each other. Both clamped a hand over there mouth as if not to make a sound. Denver and Chicago both watched intently.

When the horde stopped moving everyone's blood ran cold. It was fifteen zombies against the four of them, not the best odds. The zombies quieted down and all seemed to be in a daze. They all lifted their heads and cocked them to the side. Chicago looked at Denver with a questioning glance.

"They're hunting," he whispered. Another moment of stillness passed then the zombies began to shuffle outward towards the tree line.

"They know we're here," Chicago whispered. A zombie was drawing dangerously close. No one moved, not a single muscle. All four of them held their breaths waiting as the zombie came closer and closer with dragging steps.

It stopped at once and let out a gurgling snarl. "Go Go!" Chicago hissed urgently as she and her family crawled on their stomached. The rest of the horde was already sprinting. She pushed Little Rock and Wichita to their feet before scrambling to hers.

They ran through the trees as fast as possible, jumping fallen logs and off of small ledges. Chicago looked back. The zombies were falling behind, too clumsy to keep up with agile humans in the trees.

Eventually the zombies were out of sight. The four of them kept running though. Chicago lead the way holding her rifle. Her chest was heaving and she knew that the others were slowing behind her, but the zombies, though out of sight, were still able to be heard.

Ahead she heard water and could see the drop off to the bank of the stream. She held up her hand motioning for the others to wait. She went ahead and half ran half slid down the slope. Looking both ways down the stream she didn't see any danger and on the other side there was a gentle enough slope to get back out of the ditch. The last thing she wanted was to be trapped.

Scrambling back up and found her friends. Denver and Little Rock were both sitting on the ground panting. Wichita was doubled over with her hands on her knees. Chicago would have loved to give them time to rest, but it wasn't something she had because she could still hear the gaining zombies.

"Come on guys lets go," she said panting. No one moved. "Come on, get up we gotta go," she said.

"Chicago we can't," Wichita shook her head.

"This isn't optional. Get up 'cause they'll catch us if we stay put," Chicago said more urgently. "Denver come on," she said looking at him. He panted heavily.

"I ca.. I can't," he shook his head. Chicago panted and wiped the sweat out of her eyes. She looked around for some other option.

"They're gonna catch us," she shook her head.

"We have to fight," Little Rock said.

"No, we could never take that many… and not now that we're tired," Chicago said regretting not fighting before. "Gunfire would just signal more," she added leaning against the tree. "They must be following our scent," she muttered to herself.

Things went silent and for a moment the only sound was of their heavy breathing. Chicago finally pushed off of the tree. "Okay, you guys walk through the stream. I'll lead them up wind," she said.

"Whoa whoa, I can't let you do that," Denver grunted as he got up.

"You don't have a choice. Take the girls, get back to Jersey one way or another and I'll meet you there," she said. He caught her arm.

"It's suicide," he said. She looked at him.

"Offer another solution then," she said. The zombies were getting too close. He looked at her speechless. Chicago hugged him quickly. "Just take care of them okay? I'll see you in a few days at most," she smiled before jogging off. "Get down in that stream," she called back before she was too far away. Then she raised her gun and fired a shot into the air.

Denver and the girls watched until Chicago was gone. "Come on…. Lets get down there," Wichita said grabbing her bag.

**

Chicago fired off an errant shot every once in a while just to make sure the zombies were after her. They were very much following her. She ran as hard as she could drawing them up and away from her friends.

When it had been long enough she jumped down into the stream and started to run up against the current. The water was cold and soaked her through as she went. After a few hundred feet of ankle turning fun on the rocks she climbed up the other side of the creek bed and ran off into the forest.

After she couldn't hear the zombies anymore she stopped running and started to walk. Her legs were aching and she was still panting, but she knew better than to stop completely. Last thing she wanted to do was die from blood pooling.

Trotting along at an even pace she doubled back going down along the stream. She stayed hidden, but close enough she could hear it and follow. As her heart regained a normal rhythm she stopped and sat down. Leaning against a tree she relaxed for a moment.

The cracking of a stick had her up and on her feet in a second. She pulled her gun and swung around ready to fire. Someone caught her wrist and twisted jerking the gun away, A fist collided with her face and she hit the ground. Her attacker was kicking in her ribs by the time she figured out what was happening. She curled up trying to protect herself.

"What now Donny?" Someone asked.

"See what she's got in the bag," another voice replied. Chicago looked up at two guys, unshaven and dirty. One reached down and tore her backpack away as she tried to get up. He hit her in the face again. While one pawed through the bag the other drug her back towards the creek.

Tossing her down he kicked her towards the edge. Chicago caught a glimpse and could tell it was a steep part. Another kick pushed her right over the edge and she scrambled to catch hold. She was dangling over the edge trying to pull herself back up as the second man came forward with a gun. He aimed it at her face and she closed her eyes.

"Save the bullet. She ain't worth it. The zombies will find her," the guy said before kicking Chicago one last time. She felt the sensation of falling before blacking out.

When she woke up, the sun was setting. She was cold and soaked to the bone and so stiff she could hardly move. Struggling Chicago sat up and looked back up to where she had fallen. It had been a good drop and she must have landed on her feet because one of her ankles was throbbing.

With a grunt she managed to get to her hands and knees and crawl to the side. Hoisting herself up onto a rock she sat for a moment taking inventory of her injuries. One eye was mashed up pretty good, she probably had a concussion, her ribs were worse for the ware. What worried her most though was her ankle. She could barely put any weight on it.

Getting up she limped down the stream a little before attempting to climb back up the slope. After ten minutes she got out and continued to limp away. She pulled out her knife from her boot, her only weapon left, and sighed. If she was attacked she was as good as dead. She couldn't climb a tree, she couldn't run, she couldn't fight more than one at a time, if that. She sighed.

"You sure pack light," a voice said. Chicago whirled around so fast she almost fell. A man was seated on a low branch of a tree. "What are you doing out here?" he asked. He had a slight Cajun accent and smiled at her like the devil himself.

"What the fuck are you doing up there?" she asked.

"Such a mouth on the lady," he grinned. "I've been watching you for a bit… ever since you crawled out of the ditch," he said. She was still gripping the knife tightly. "Put it away Sha… if I wanted you dead, you'd already be dead," he said good naturedly.

"How can I trust you? I just got the shit beat out of me," she said.

"I can see that," he replied dropping out of the tree. She took a moment to look him over. He looked something like a rock star and gypsy and pirate and GoodWill mutt all tossed into one. A grey Fedora on his head and layers of mismatched clothes adorned him. Somehow though, it all pulled together to give him a horribly attractive look, and Chicago knew it. "Are you normally beat up so bad or is this a new look for you?" he asked.

"Normally the people I get through with look something like this," she replied.

"Oh," he nodded playing it incredibly straight. "You have a name?" he asked. She sighed.

"Chicago," she said. His brow wrinkled.

"Odd name," he cocked his head.

"I don't use my name. Me and my crew use our home cities. Keeps us from getting to close," she said. He grinned again.

"Baton Rouge." He flipped his hat of his head and rolled it down his arm as he took her hand and kissed it. "At your service," he released her and popped his hat back on. "It's getting dark," he observed casually.

"I guess you should be getting along then," she replied smartly. He laughed.

"I have a place not to far from here," he said.

"No thanks," she replied. He sighed and reached in his pocket.

"I'll tell you what," he pulled out a deck of cards, "I'll make you a deal." He opened the pack with blinding speed and shuffled them in a flourish. "If I can guess your card," he fanned them out, "you'll come back with me." She eyes him cautiously for a moment before picking a card and looking at it. She handed it back to him and he shuffled the deck. "Remember that card," he said as he flipped the cards about. She rolled her eyes and he picked one out. "Ahh, the seven of hearts," he smiled. Her jaw dropped.

"How did you-" she started to ask

"And look at this it's framed by the queen of hearts and… the king of diamonds," he added showing the other two cards. She looked at them with a puzzled face before he held out her ring. "I think you lost this," he said. She snatched it and shoved it on her finger.

"That was… amazing and unsettling," she smiled unable to resist the charm.

"A deals a deal," he said putting the cards back in his pocket. She bit her lip.

"Alright," she said.

**

Fynn looked at his watch again. They had stopped at a roadside diner for dinner while they let the others catch up. "Damn… how slow were they going?" he sighed.

"Well we were going 100," Columbus muttered.

"Lets just keep going, they can handle themselves," Kim sighed.

"Baby will you lighten up? He hit me, so what?" Fynn sighed. "Man's got a right to be upset," he added.

"I don't care! I told him to fucking leave it alone, and he didn't!" she snapped. "And don't you say a word more in his defense," she added fiercely. Fynn dropped it, after all hell hath no fury like that of the woman before him and he knew it.

"Look," Nana whispered pulling Columbus's sleeve. He looked down the road and saw a truck, but it wasn't the other. Fynn grabbed his gun ready for anything, but Denver and the girls hopped out of the strange truck.

"Wha- where's Chicago?" Columbus asked a little confused by their entrance.

"We lost her. Got into a scrape and she took off to save us. You take the girls I'm going back for her," Denver said.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down," Fynn said. Denver gave him a murderous stare.

"Don't you tell me what to do," he growled.

"Denver, you can't go back…. You'll never find her," Wichita said more gently.

"Well we can't leave her," he replied.

"It's been hours. You have no way of finding her. For all we know she already found a truck," Little Rock said. Denver sighed looking torn. "She said to meet her back at Jersey. Stick to the plan," she added. Chicago's phone started to ring on the dash of the car.

"Hell of a plan," Denver muttered as he went and opened it. "Hello?"

"Denver?" Tallahassee asked.

"Yeah," Denver replied.

"What are you doing with Chicago's phone?" he asked.

"Well… we hit a little snag," Denver bit his lip.

"Snag? Snag as in what?" Tallahassee asked.

"Well… she ran off to draw zombies away from us and now we don't know where she is," Denver said coming clean.

"What?" Tallahassee bellowed.

"Calm down, she told us to meet her back in Jersey. She'll be fine," Denver said convincingly. "What were you calling about?" he added.

"Nothing compared to what you said. I just lost Phoenix," Tal said.

"You- you what?" Denver repeated.

"Well I didn't lose him… he knocked me out and hightailed it out of here in a truck full of ammo," Tallahassee sighed.

"Well great," Denver rolled his eyes. "In present company I won't divulge that information so as to not insight panic," he added looking at Nana.

"I'm coming out there," Tallahassee said.

"Why?" Denver asked.

"Why?" Tallahassee repeated. "The woman I love is out there," Tallahassee said.

"Tal, she told us to meet her in Jersey. I will drop you like a deer if you put one toe out of that city," Denver threatened.

"You think you scare me old man?" Tallahassee growled.

"I should," Denver replied evenly. "Just stay put. Trust me," he sighed.

"All right," Tallahassee agreed begrudgingly.

"We'll be back before long," Denver said then snapped the phone shut. "Great he sighed.

"What?" Columbus asked. Denver ran his hands through his hair.

"Chicago won't be happy… get in the car lets go," the older man said. No one argued.

**

Chicago trailed Rouge, getting progressively slower. "It's not much further," he said when she stumbled. Chicago was surprised he didn't try to help her. He just kept marching. She was so surprised she had to bring it up.

"Aren't we sending mixed signals?" she said.

"Hmm?" he looked back.

"You kiss my hand when we meet but you don't offer help when I fall," she clarified.

"I can tell you're an incredibly independent woman. I think you would take it as insult," he replied stopping. "Do you need help?" he asked.

"No," she replied smiling a little. He was no dumb-ass. "That's a very astute observation to make.

"Yeah, well, as time goes on you pick up some things," he replied. They trudged on a while in silence before he held out his hand making her stop. "This is very important," he said. "You see the white line?" he asked. She looked on the ground and indeed did see a white line.

"Sure," she replied.

"Do not, step off of it," he said.

"Why?" she replied.

"That's a surprise," he replied before staring to walk on the line. Chicago decided to followed the rule and limp along the line. Not long after they came to a cabin and the end of the line. He looked back. "Welcome to my humble abode," he smiled. He opened the door and she entered.

It was a wreck with everything strewn everywhere. She looked around. "How long have you lived here?" she asked.

"Long time," he replied closing the door.

"How long is a long time?" she asked.

"Nearly a week," he replied. "You can have the bed tonight. You should keep off your leg," he said. She looked around.

"What bed?" she asked finally. He looked away from the sack he was digging in.

"In the back room," he replied. She limped back to a door and found the 'bedroom.' She didn't want to be so vulnerable, but hit the bed and was asleep immediately.